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Film art
First published 1993 · 864 pages
An illuminating masterclass that permanently changes how you watch movies by revealing the invisible machinery of cinema.
What it feels like
Reading this foundational text feels like putting on a new pair of glasses that suddenly brings the entire cinematic universe into sharp, technical focus. It is a steady, deeply illuminating journey through the mechanics of visual storytelling, replacing the passive magic of movie-watching with a profound, active appreciation for the craft. The prose is authoritative yet accessible, guiding you through lighting, editing, and sound with the meticulous care of a master artisan explaining their tools. The mood is distinctly intellectual and observant, evoking the quiet hum of a darkened lecture hall where the secrets of the screen are finally laid bare. It is an essential, transformative experience for cinephiles and aspiring filmmakers who want to understand exactly how movies make us feel.
- Mood
- intellectual
- illuminating
- observant
- Tone
- authoritative
- analytical
- accessible
- pedagogical
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- visual literacy · the language of cinema · mechanics of art · aesthetic appreciation · formal analysis
- The writing
- Clear, structured, and meticulously descriptive, breaking down complex visual concepts into digestible, analytical prose.
- The arc
- Transforms the reader from a passive spectator into an active, enlightened observer of the cinematic form.
- Who it's for
- Cinephiles, film students, and curious moviegoers who want to peek behind the curtain to understand how directors manipulate time, space, and emotion.
Content notes
- academic discussion of mature film themes
- descriptions of cinematic violence
About the book
Film is an art form with a language and an aesthethic all its own. This edition has been re-designed in colour greatly enhancing the text's visual appeal and overall accessibility to today's students. The text is supported by a CD-ROM with video clips, and text-specific website.
CD-ROM includes a text-specific tutorial with the use of film clips, a corresponding commentary for each film clip, and a quiz for students to take to test their understanding of the materials.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 472-474) and index.
System requirements Windows: 98SE, 2000 SP4, XP Professional SP2. 64MB RAM or more, Pentium III or faster, 200 MHz or faster, Internet browser.
System requirements MacIntosh: OS 10.2.8, OS 10.3.9, and 10.4. 64MB RAM or more, G3 Processor or faster, Internet browser.
Description from Open Library.
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