The Major Film Theories: An Introduction (Galaxy Book; Gb450) [Paperback]

J. Dudley Andrew (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195019911 | ISBN-13: 978-0195019919 | Publication Date: April 15, 1976 | Edition: Underlining

Both a history of film theory and an introduction to the work of the most important writers in the field, Andrew's volume reveals the bases of thought of such major theorists as Munsterberg, Arnheim, Eisenstein, Balazs, Kracauer, Bazin, Mitry, and Metz.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This history of film theory will enrich our discipline and remain an important source of both information and understanding for some time to come."--Quarterly Review of Film Studies

"Andrew's guidebook...is the first in English to cover a relatively broad range of figures."--Sight and Sound

"Sure to whet one's appetite for the contemporary French film theory of Mitry, Metz, Ayfre and Agel."--Film Criticism

"The book is excellent."--Ivan Pedro Murily, Southern Illinois University

About the Author

J. D. Andrew is at University of Iowa.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Underlining edition (April 15, 1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195019911
• ISBN-13: 978-0195019919
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A bit inaccessible for an introduction, January 12, 2004

By 

Hairy Lime (ND, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Major Film Theories: An Introduction (Galaxy Book; Gb450) (Paperback)

My main issue with this book is that the title ("An Introduction") implies that the book is for anyone with an interest in film theory. However, the author sometimes goes into nearly-impenetrable technical jargon. I would disagree with the assertion that this book is easy to understand.

For instance, from page 57 comes the sentence: "In Piaget's terms, he [Eisenstein] wanted cinema to become or to produce a 'global syncretism of individual transductive inferences.'" And this is supposed to be an introduction? (You may be able to view page 57 through Amazon.com's "Search inside the book" feature.) I found myself re-reading paragraphs a few times to try to comprehend what was being said. I would recommend this book as a good survey of film theory for readers who have already had exposure to film theory and have some background in philosophy, psychology, and linguistics.

Another problem is that the book was published in 1976, so roughly 25% of film theory history is missing. An updated or revised edition is needed. It would be interesting to see if/how the recent Dogme 95 movement fits into film theory history.

This book might be valuable to film students or film geeks who've read other books about film theory, but for the average reader, this isn't the best "introduction" on the subject.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Film philosophies, January 25, 2002

By 

Pumpkin King - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Major Film Theories: An Introduction (Galaxy Book; Gb450) (Paperback)

J. Dudley Andrew covers the ideas of 10 major theoreticians of film in this readable introduction (Hugo Munsterberg, Rudolf Arnheim, Sergei Eisenstein, Bela Balazs, Siegfried Kracauer, Andre Bazin, Jean Mitry, Christian Metz, Amedee Ayfre, Henri Agel). It is great for readers who are interested in the development of film theory and want a manageable book that follows it through in a structured way, and discusses each person's views in the context of previous thinkers'. Each chapter considers four topics of each theorist: The basic material of film, the process that gives the material significance, the forms, and the purpose or value of film. It doesn't cover much beyond the 1970s, but as an introduction, it sufficiently covers giant figures like Eisenstein, Kracauer, and Bazin.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars exceptional introduction!, June 16, 2001

By 

Eduardo Navas - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Major Film Theories: An Introduction (Galaxy Book; Gb450) (Paperback)

D.Andrew has done an excellent job explaining the major film theories that have helped legitimize film as an art form. Not only does he explain the different ideological camps of the early twentieth century, but most importantly he clearly connects them to contemporary structural french theorists. it is an excellent introduction for the film theorist novice.

I also strongly recommend reading "The subject of Semiotics" by Kaja Silverman and "Superstructuralism" by Richard Harland. Both of these books will help understand why cinema is probably the most powerful medium through which art and mass consumerist culture are able to collide effectively thereby creating a powerful arena to experience meaning.

It is truly an essential book that should be read by anyone who is interested in thinking, period.