Film History: Theory and Practice
by Robert Allen, Douglas Gomery

Our Price: $70.00
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions

Book Summary Information

Book Reviews of Film History: Theory and Practice

Book Review: A superb core text
Summary: 4 Stars

What the first part of this text does is to apply the established methodologies of history and historiography to the relatively new discipline of film studies. This includes some rather heavyweight, 'philosophical' discussions about what history is, what it should do, and so on.

The second part looks at the different, diverse spheres of film history : aesthetic; technological; economic; and social. Finally, it explores the process of actually conducting film history.

Dense though it is, the text is never boring. It is a work of suitably historical erudition, both in tone and research; but also possesses the 'freshness' one would probably expect from a book about mass, popular culture.

In short, the book is an excellent foundation and springboard. It ought to stimulate the reader's mind to the diversity of film history, the difficulties inherent in conducting it, but most of all, the rewarding nature of such research.

Entertainment Books

• Nonfiction
• Reference