This is an analysis of what has been called "the seventh art". It traces the development of film from its scientific origins through to cinema today, covering the key elements and players that have contributed to its artistic and technical development. Offering an overview of cinema throughout the world, the book covers an international body of work: the silent picture pioneers such as D.W. Griffith and the foundations of Hollywood; experiments in France, Germany, Scandinavia and Russia; the Golden Age of Hollywood; Italian neorealism; diverse developments in the USA, Western and Eastern Europe, Japan, Latin America, China and the Far East. David Parkinson is the author of "The Bloomsbury Good Movie Guide" and the editor of "Mornings in the Dark: The Graham Greene Film Reader".
FREE Two-Day Shipping for students on millions of items. Learn more |
| |||||||||||||||
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
The latest in Thames and Hudson's World of Art series, Parkinson's History of Film is impressively thorough despite its brevity. Beginning with cinema's inception in 19th-century inventions that exploited persistence of vision, Parkinson covers most of the major developments in film history. The rise of the Hollywood studio system, the evolution of national cinemas, and film movements of the modern era such as neorealism provide the framework for what perhaps too often reads like a laundry list of the most influential directors, titles and performers. Given the size of the volume, some subjects, such as animation, special effects, contemporary experimental cinema and the role of the home movie and video are given short shrift or neglected. An abrupt coda speculates on the future of film technology, an unfortunately dry conclusion to the book. Nevertheless, this scholarly overview is an excellent introduction to the key themes and pioneers of cinematic art. Parkinson adeptly articulates the contributions of particular directors and movements and provides succinct social and historical context for the subject. Generously illustrated throughout with black-and-white stills, History of Film features a central section of color illustrations that traces the development of color film processes.
Copyright 1996 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful History of Film!,
By
This review is from: History of Film (World of Art) (Paperback)
There are lots of books out there on the history of film, however, there are those that hit the mark quite above others. The History of Film is one of those books. David Parkinsons comprehensive book on the history of film is not only a great introduction, but also acts as a great reference or study guide. One of Thames and Hudsons World of Art series, printed on heavy smooth stock paper with color and black and white photos, one is sure to appreciate the wuality of this book. Beginning at the dawn of cinema with primitive snap-shot like cameras, with the advent of film from glass or discs, into the 20's where cinema was changed forever. There, the greats are born: Eisenstein, Griffith, Pudovkin, Porter, Lang, and so many others who contributed, not only to the art of cinema, but to the science of cinema. Once this is established, theories of film rush in and a wide variety of culture is brought forth upon the world with different forms of narrative. From Jules and Jim to Seventh Seal to Olympia to 2001: A Space Odyssey to Taxi Driver; Bergman, Kubrick, Kurosawa, Capra, Scorsese, Hitchcock, Chaplin, Huston, and Fellini. Discussing critics points of view, filmmakers take on the how the films were made as well as the influences that they would have on society and the film world itself catapulting into the blockbuster film that we have today. Also bringing out how the studios were created and who were involved in the ownership. How they broke up and how Hollywood is run today. I totally enjoyed this book and found it was well written, informative in every way. The history was kept clear despite unavoidable overlapping in time. Highly reccomended to the film student!
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
So You'd Like to...
|
|
