History On Film Film On History

Fictional films tell true historical stories... Film and History is a compelling and unique overview of the cinema and its relationship with history, ranging from the ancient world to the modern day. This is the first book of its kind to offer such a broad historical and theoretical portrayal of the rapidly-growing sub field of history and film. Rosenstone introduces the varieties, types and traditions of historical films made worldwide and sets this against the changing ways in which historians and other public critics debate the portrayal of history in modern film.

Since first publication in 2006, Robert A. Rosenstone's History on Film/Film on History has established itself as a classic treatise on the historical film and its role in bringing history to life. In this updated version of his ground-breaking and widely-acclaimed text, Robert Rosenstone argues that to leave history films out of the discussion of the meaning of the past is to ignore a major factor in our understanding of past events. He champions the dramatic feature as a legitimate way of doing history, even though it is largely fictional. He examines what history films convey about the past and how they convey it, demonstrating the need to learn how to read and understand this new visual world. Integrating detailed analysis of individual history films, such as Glory, Reds, October and Schindler's List, this new edition includes: A new introduction, outlining the impact this work has had on the topic of history and film as well as general developments in the field ; New, up-to-date 'Guide to Key Reading' ; Detailed examinations of a variety of films - American, European, Mexican and Soviet - made in different political systems and climates ; A chapter focusing on Oliver Stone as a brilliant historian of the Vietnam era ; A chapter on recent Holocaust films, showing how a group of works, taken together, can provide a wide-ranging understanding of a single historical event. With its useful guidance on how to effectively analyse films as historical interpretations, this new edition will continue to hold its place as a text which not only shows the value of film on history, but also demonstrates how history can work on film.

History on Film/Film on History has established itself as a classic treatise on the historical film and its role in bringing the past to life. In the third edition of this widely acclaimed text, Robert A. Rosenstone argues that to leave history films out of the discussion of the meaning of the past is to ignore a major means of understanding historical events. This book examines what history films convey about the past and how they convey it, demonstrating the need to learn how to read and understand this new visual world and integrating detailed analysis of films such as Schindler’s List, Glory, October, and Reds. Advocating for the dramatic feature as a legitimate way of doing history, this edition includes a new introduction, a revised final chapter, a new epilogue that discusses recent history films such as Selma and The Imitation Game, and an extensive and updated guide to further reading. Examining the codes and conventions of how these films tell us about the past and providing guidance on how to effectively analyse films as historical interpretations, this book is an essential introduction to the field for students of history and film.

History as it is presented on film. Sorlin appraises the 'historical' film, and their potential roles as documentary evidence and sources of social history.

Historical film has been an important genre since the earliest silent films. The French Revolution, the American Civil War, the conquest of the New World, World War II--all have been repeatedly represented in film. But how do we distinguish between fictionalized spectacle and authentic historical representation? Writing History in Film sets out the narratological, semiological, rhetorical, and philosophical bases for understanding how film can function as a form of historical interpretation and representation. With case studies and an interdisciplinary approach, William Guynn examines the key issues facing film students and scholars, historians, and anyone interested in how we see our historical past.

Fictional films tell true historical stories... Film and History is a compelling and unique overview of the cinema and its relationship with history, ranging from the ancient world to the modern day. This is the first book of its kind to offer such a broad historical and theoretical portrayal of the rapidly-growing sub field of history and film. Rosenstone introduces the varieties, types and traditions of historical films made worldwide and sets this against the changing ways in which historians and other public critics debate the portrayal of history in modern film.

Offers readers an introduction to just under 30 critical and representative writings on the relationship between film and history. These writings represent a combination of insights from film theory, cultural studies, historiography, the history of cinema, and, film promotion and reception.

Rosenstone investigates how a visual medium, subject to conventions of drama and fiction, might be used as a serious vehicle for thinking about our relationship with the past. Employing such films as Reds, JFK, and Sans Soleil, he considers issues like the rapport between fact and film and the documentary as visionary truth.