Great Films and How to Teach Them

by William V. Costanzo

This expanded, updated edition of the classic Reading the Movies contains 80% new material on teaching film, including study guides of 14 new films.

William V. Costanzo, author of the classic Reading the Movies, is back with Great Films and How to Teach Them, an updated, expanded edition that contains 80% new material on teaching film, including study guides of 14 new films. Recognizing that the growing worldwide interest in film presents exciting teaching opportunities, Costanzo offers high school and college teachers a relevant way to engage their students through a medium that students know and love. The author combines developments in pedagogy with many aspects of film study―film scholarship, the nature of movies themselves, significant changes in the movie industry, film technology, American culture, globalization, and the connection with literary texts. The first part of the book includes not only updated chapters on standard topics but several new ones as well, intended to prepare readers for movies in the 21st adapting fiction to film, how to “read” film, film technology, film history, film as a business, film theory, film genres, representation in film, film in the English class. The second part of the book offers study guides for 14 films, from classics to contemporary international hits. Three appendixes and a glossary of film terms round out the book’s many teacher resources. Written in an accessible, straightforward style, Great Films and How to Teach Them makes it possible for novice and experienced instructors to successfully incorporate film into their classrooms. Films featured in the Study Casablanca, North by Northwest, To Kill a Mockingbird, Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet, The Godfather, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Glory, Mississippi Masala, Schindler’s List, The Shawshank Redemption, Run Lola Run, The Matrix, Bend It Like Beckham, and Whale Rider.

Paperback

First published September 30, 2004

About the author

William V. Costanzo is a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of English and Film who has taught writing, literature, and film courses since 1970. A graduate of Columbia University with a Certificate in Film from NYU, Dr. Costanzo has published six books ranging from writing and computers to world cinema and film genres.

Reviews

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this was a good introduction to teaching film in the classroom. If you're simply integrating film studies into the English classroom, this is a great resource. However, if you'd like to have students do more in-depth analysis (in terms of cinematic techniques), I would find additional resources to help you do so. Costanzo provides an extensive works cited section that can lead you to those resources. I will definitely be taking advantage of that section!