Book description
Why are some films regarded as classics, worthy of entry into the canon
of film history? Which sorts of films make the cut and why? Movie Greats
questions how cinema is ranked and, in doing so, uncovers a history of
critical conflict, with different aesthetic positions battling for
dominance. The films examined range across the history of cinema: The
Battleship Potemkin, The 39 Steps, Modern Times, Citizen Kane, It's a
Wonderful Life, Black Narcissus, The Night of the Hunter, Lawrence of
Arabia, 8 1/2, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Godfather, Raging Bull, The
Piano and Kill Bill: Vol. 1. Each chapter opens with a brief summary of
the film's plot and goes on to discuss the historical context, the key
individuals who made the film, and initial and subsequent popular and
critical responses. Students studying the history of film, canon
formation or film aesthetics will find this book relevant, provocative
and absorbing. Why are some films regarded as classics, worthy of
entry into the canon of film history? Which sorts of films make the cut
and why? Movie Greats questions how cinema is ranked and, in doing so,
uncovers a history of critical conflict, with different aesthetic
positions battling for dominance. The films examined range across the
history of cinema: The Battleship Potemkin, The 39 Steps, Modern Times,
Citizen Kane, It's a Wonderful Life, Black Narcissus, The Night of the
Hunter, Lawrence of Arabia, 8 1/2, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Godfather,
Raging Bull, The Piano and Kill Bill: Vol. 1. Each chapter opens with a
brief summary of the film's plot and goes on to discuss the historical
context, the key individuals who made the film, and initial and
subsequent popular and critical responses. Students studying the history
of film, canon formation or film aesthetics will find this book
relevant, provocative and absorbing.
