A Short History of the Movies [Paperback]

Gerald Mast (Author), Bruce Kawin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0321262328 | ISBN-13: 978-0321262325 | Publication Date: April 2, 2005 | Edition: 9th

The ninth edition of A Short History of the Movies continues the tradition-scrupulously accurate in its details, up-to-date, free of jargon-that has made it the most widely adopted textbook for college courses in film history, and now includes a fresh look at "Persistence of Vision" and a new chapter on digital cinema. This volume offers students a panoramic overview of the worldwide development of film, from the first movements captured on celluloid, to the early Mack Sennett and Charlie Chaplin shorts, through the studio heyday of the 1930s and 1940s and the "Hollywood Renaissance" of the 1960s and 1970s, to the pictures and their technology appearing in the multiplexes and living rooms of today. This new edition, which has been revised and rewritten to reflect current scholarship, recent industry developments, and new films and filmmakers, represents an accurate, scrupulous updating of a classic.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The seventh edition of A Short History of the Movies continues the tradition that has made it one of the most popular books ever in film history. This volume offers students a panoramic overview of the worldwide development of film, from the early Mack Sennett and Charlie Chaplin shorts, through the studio heyday of the 1930s and 1940s and the Hollywood Renaissance of the 1960s and 1970s, to the pictures and their technology appearing in the multiplexes of today. This new edition, which has been revised and rewritten to reflect current scholarship and recent industry developments, and new films and filmmakers, represents an accurate, scrupulous updating of a classic. Features an emphasis on key historical and aesthetic principles provides solid scholarship in an accessible, intelligent, and readable format. Inlcudes almost 500 color and black-and-white photographs including frame enlargements and production stills. Includes evaluations of great works from such directors as Griffith, Ford, Scorsese, and Hitchcock illuminates conflicts and controversies in many areas of filmmaking. Also features extensive treatment of international film enables comparison and contrast between American films and those of other countries, particularly Germany, Russia, France, Italy, and China. For anyone interested in the history of film. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 784 pages
• Publisher: Longman; 9th edition (April 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321262328
• ISBN-13: 978-0321262325
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #362,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely valuable, July 21, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: A Short History of the Movies (7th Edition) (Paperback)

My accidental encounter with an earlier edition of this book was the catalyst for my taking up film studies. The book is a clear, well written and systematically organized history of movies. It has a comprehensive and up to date bibliography and filmography. Chapters are chronological in sequence, but are organized around a particular theme. The authors introduce major influences in the cinema (whether directors, 'schools', actors or events), identify principal directors and films, and analyse major issues and advances. It is an excellent introduction to the history of movies and great jumping off point for further, more specialised study. It is refreshingly free from post-modernist jargon and abstractions. If you want a comprehensive introduction which is also a good read, I recommend this book most highly.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still the definitive film history text., October 17, 1999

By 

Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Short History of the Movies (7th Edition) (Paperback)

As a writer, Mast is without equal as a teacher, historian, and critic. The most readable, valuable film history text, in my opinion. Thank goodness it's still in print.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best book on film history I have used., March 16, 1999

By 

Elizabeth (Silver Spring, Moldova, Republic of) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Short History of the Movies (Paperback)

Mast describes both the panorama of cinema history as well as brilliant analyses of individual films and directors. He presents both breadth and depth, analyzing American, European and non-Western cinema. He also relates film to the social and political history of the countries. Students can use this book for a survey and for in-depth analysis.