The Oxford History of World Cinema

The Oxford History of World Cinema
Geoffrey Nowell-Smith | 1900-01-01 00:00:00 | Oxford University Press, USA | 856 | Movies
From its humble beginnings as a novelty in a handful of cities, cinema has risen to become a billion-dollar industry and the most spectacular and original contemporary art form. In The Oxford History of World Cinema, an international team of film historians traces the history of this enduringly popular entertainment medium. Covering all aspects of its development, stars, studios, and cultural impact, the book celebrates and chronicles over one hundred years of diverse achievement from westerns to the New Wave, from animation to the avant-garde, and from Hollywood to Hong Kong.

The Oxford History of World Cinema tells the story of the major inventions and developments in the cinema business, its institutions, genres, and personnel, and they outline the evolution of national cinemas round the world--the varied and distinctive film traditions that have developed alongside Hollywood. A unique aspect of the book are the special inset features on the film-makers and personalities--Garbo and Godard, Keaton and Kurosawa, Bugs Bunny and Bergman--who have had an enduring impact in popular memory and cinematic lore. With over 280 illustrations, a full bibliography, and an extensive index, this is the buff's ultimate guide to cinema worldwide.
Most histories of the international cinema focus on the careers of prominent directors. But the authors of The Oxford History of World Cinema set cinematic genres, trends, and national themes at the fore, composing a history of the cinema that is equally a history of our multifarious world culture. Still, in deference to the older historical style, the text of this hefty book is dotted with hundreds of minibiographies on individual filmmakers. The result of this hybrid approach is one of the most comprehensive film histories ever, allowing insight into its complex subject from a number of different perspectives.
Reviews
Did you know that spaghetti westerns gained popularity because of their Marxist sensibilities? Did you know that talent unions in Hollywood sprang up to resist the evil studio capitalists? McCarthyism anyone?



Ah yes, the repugnant leftist version of 20th century world history is firmly stamped on this film reference.
Reviews
They have reduced the price, and now the book is affordable. So take advantage of this. THE OXFORD HISTORY OF WORLD CINEMA introduces the readers to foreign films/international productions, and explains the different genres of pictures throughout the history of world cinema.

You should add this book to your library if you like cinema.
Reviews
This is an excellent reference source for the expert and lover of world cinema. It is complete and authoritative. All genres are well discussed, and the chronology is superb.
Reviews
This is recommendable guide for all those who assumed the commitment to know about the Cinema considered as an artistic discipline. Plenty of abundant information about the well different tendencies and filmmakers along a Century you will find important and decisive data for having a whole vision around the last of the Arts.



Totally recommended.
Reviews
This book includes a large collection of writings on various film movements and styles throughout history. It touches on cinema from all continents and includes sidebars focusing on important filmmakers and their contributions to film. The book is illustrated with many black and white stills with several pages of full-color photographs in the middle.

I would recommend this book to film scholars who are interested in film theory rather than film history or casual discussion. The writings included in this book are not for light reading; they are very heady and in-depth analyses of the art of film.

I consider myself well-viewed and an intelligent film student and am always willing for good discussion about film, but I was a little disappointed with this volume. I was expecting something a little more accessible and approachable and I found this book to be a little dry. It is definitely not for the casual film buff, but for someone interested in the mechanics and the psychology of film, so be aware of this.

I have also been looking at Robert Sklar's "A World History of Film" and, judging from the less intimidating approach used by that book, think that is more of what I was looking for in this.

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