The Films of Roberto Rossellini (Cambridge Film Classics) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "When Roberto Rossellini was born on 8 May 1906 into a very well-to-do Roman family, his father's involvement in the design and construction of the..." (more)
Key Phrases: Della Rovere, Don Pietro, Ingrid Bergman (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Bondanella's excellent addition to the 'Cambridge Film Classics' series provides an overview of the work of the originator of Italian neorealism....There is a real depth to Bondanella's analysis of Rossellini's ideology and to his discussion of innvovations in cinematic technique such as the 'Pancinor zoom.' Chronology, filmology, and bibliography as well as invaluable notes. An excellent introduction to Rossellini for undergraduate students of film, and the more advanced student or scholar should also benefit from the current bibliography and from some of the insightful analyses." Choice

Product Description

The Films of Roberto Rossellini traces the career of one of the most influential Italian filmmakers through close analysis of the seven films that mark important turning points in his evolution: The Man with a Cross (1943), Open City (1945), Paisan (1946), The Machine to Kill Bad People (1948-52), Voyage in Italy (1953), General della Rovere(1959), and The Rise to Power of Louis XIV (1966). Beginning with Rossellini's work within the fascist cinema, it discusses his invention of neorealism, a new cinematic style that resulted in several classics during the immediate postwar period. Almost immediately, however, Rossellini's continually evolving style moved beyond mere social realism to reveal other aspects of the camera's gaze, as is apparent in the films he made with Ingrid Bergman during the 1950s; though unpopular, these works had a tremendous impact on the French New Wave critics and directors. Rossellini's late career marks a return to his nonrealist period, now critically reexamined, in such works as the commercially successful General della Rovere, and his eventual turn to the creation of didactic films for television.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 29, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521398665
• ISBN-13: 978-0521398664
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,501,633 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic Bondanella on a Classic Italian Director, March 28, 2000

By A Customer

Having taken 2 of Professor Bondanella's courses, I probablyhave a bit of a bias towards this book. But I think I can say with allhonesty that anyone who finds Rossellini or neo-realism interesting will find this an extremely entertaining and informative book. The writing style is high-browed with wit and humor thrown in, as Rosselini was after all a very larger than life figure who was admired in no small part by the professor for his off-the-cuff approch to filmaking and his famous escipades with beautiful women such as Ingrid Bergman. Bondanella is intimately familiar with the study of neo-realism and the most widely acclaimed directors of this sub-genre of film. He shares his wealth of knowledge freely and warmly; overall an extremely satisfying read.