Anatomy of Film [Paperback]

Bernard F. Dick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 27, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0312259441 | ISBN-13: 978-0312259440 | Edition: Fourth Edition

This long awaited third edition offers a clearly written introduction to the art of film. Retaining its emphasis on the fundamentals of critical analysis and evaluation, it includes a complete guide to the elements of film as well as substantial coverage of film criticism and analysis of film genres. It includes over 80 stills from film classics both past and present.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Reviews of previous edition: 'I love Anatomy of Film. It offers a comprehensive exploration into the study of film as a genre. It is clear and concise so that students are not overwhelmed by information, but at the same time, it provides the essential groundwork of what students need to know to become proficient in the analysis of cinema' -Julie Gustafson, Samford University 'The text is very readable, there is thorough coverage, and ... Dick says all the right things' -David Popowski, Minnesota State University, Mankato 'Anatomy of Film is an ideal textbook for students just beginning to study the film discipline' -Daniel M. Linton, University of Memphis 'It is hard to miss the author's enthusiasm for film. His tone clearly invites the reader to follow on because there are wonderful rewards ahead' -Thomas Murray, Fitchburg State University 'The fifth edition of Dick's Anatomy of Film re-appears like an old friend... The solid reliable journal, companion to film students and teachers alike, returns with revived thrust and a much needed contemporary twist. Dick continues to provide us with, in his own words, a 'solid foundation of film fundamentals rich examples from the past and present and in-depth-coverage of genre' -Teresa Stringer, subject Manager: Media and Photography, Plymouth College of Art and Design, 'Learning, Media and Technology, Vol 31. No 4, December 2006, pp. 425 - 429 --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

BERNARD F. DICK is Professor of Communication and English in the School of Art and Media Studies at Farleigh Dickinson University's Teaneck, New Jersey campus, USA. He is the author of a number of books on film including The Star-Spangled Screen: The American World War II Film, Engulfed: The Death of Paramount Pictures and The Birth of Corporate Hollywood, and most recently, Hal Wallis, Producer to the Stars. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 382 pages
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's; Fourth Edition edition (November 27, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312259441
• ISBN-13: 978-0312259440
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,382,946 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars comprehensive coverage of the basics, February 3, 2006

By 

Q (Q Continuum) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anatomy of Film (Paperback)

The strength of this book is that it covers all main bases of film criticism except for film history, which does, however, enjoy a few passing references. Besides the usual chapters on the basic elements of film--the shot, scene, mise-en-scene, lighting, sound, and etc.--there are also chapters on film genres, film subtext, directors, film and literature, film theory, and a chapter of sample analyses of important films. There is an appendix with a couple of sample student essays, but there isn't really any writing instruction. That's left up to your class instructor. About half the size (same thickness, however) of most film introductions, with some but not a lot of black and white photos, this is convenient to read in bed or wherever. The organization seems rather weak in some respects: after a rather scattered introductory chapter, there is a chapter on graphics (credits and subtitles) and sound, which doesn't seem like a very logical start for a film textbook. After that, things fall into place. The field of film textbooks is quite crowded, and there are many other books that give more in-depth coverage of various aspects, but if you want a book that covers all the basics, this does the job.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars May get the part, December 6, 2004

By 

Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anatomy of Film (Paperback)

If you're looking for an "Intro to Film" text that's neither as cluttered nor pricey as several of the leading candidates, this just may fit the bill. No accompanying DVD's, website, glossy photos, test banks or manuals, but it touches on most of the matters relevant to such a course (including just barely enough history), and it not only addresses writing about film but provides some helpful examples. If it were one-third rather than two-thirds the price of its competitors, I'd have no trouble going to it again, especially in a course that emphasizes literature as much as film.

5.0 out of 5 stars Anatomy of Film, September 23, 2011

By 

J. Ballou - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Anatomy of Film (Paperback)

This book is great! The terms that are most important are bolded and the language is very easy to understand for people who aren't movie scholars, like me!