Movie greats: a critical study of classic cinema

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."--;1. So Who Says It's Great? -- 2. The Celluloid Canon 3. -- The Battleship Potemkin (USSR, 1925): The Politics of the Cinema -- 4. The 39 Steps (UK, 1935): Romance on the Run -- 5. Modern Times (USA, 1936): A Tramp for All Seasons -- 6. Citizen Kane (USA, 1941): The Tragedy of Ambition -- 7. It's a Wonderful Life (USA, 1946): Seeking the American Hero -- 8. Black Narcissus (UK, 1947): Nuns in Exotic Places -- 9. The Night of the Hunter (USA, 1955): Return of the Big Bad Wolf -- 10. Lawrence of Arabia (UK, 1962): An Englishman in the Sun -- 11. 8* (Italy/France, 1963): The Director as Superstar -- 12. 2001: A Space Odyssey (UK/USA, 1968): The Long Voyage to Destiny -- 13. The Godfather (USA, 1972): Keeping It in the Family -- 14. Raging Bull (USA, 1980): The Drama of the Fight -- 15. The Piano (Australia/New Zealand/France, 1993): Love in a Rough Place -- 16. Kill Bill: Volume. 1 (USA, 2003): Violence as Art -- 17. The Tarnish on the Tinsel -- Notes Further Reading -- Bibliography -- Index 1. So Who Says It's Great? -- 2. The Celluloid Canon 3. -- The Battleship Potemkin (USSR, 1925): The Politics of the Cinema -- 4. The 39 Steps (UK, 1935): Romance on the Run -- 5. Modern Times (USA, 1936): A Tramp for All Seasons -- 6. Citizen Kane (USA, 1941): The Tragedy of Ambition -- 7. It's a Wonderful Life (USA, 1946): Seeking the American Hero -- 8. Black Narcissus (UK, 1947): Nuns in Exotic Places -- 9. The Night of the Hunter (USA, 1955): Return of the Big Bad Wolf -- 10. Lawrence of Arabia (UK, 1962): An Englishman in the Sun -- 11. 8* (Italy/France, 1963): The Director as Superstar -- 12. 2001: A Space Odyssey (UK/USA, 1968): The Long Voyage to Destiny -- 13. The Godfather (USA, 1972): Keeping It in the Family -- 14. Raging Bull (USA, 1980): The Drama of the Fight -- 15. The Piano (Australia/New Zealand/France, 1993): Love in a Rough Place -- 16. Kill Bill: Volume. 1 (USA, 2003): Violence as Art -- 17. The Tarnish on the Tinsel -- Notes Further Reading -- Bibliography -- Index