Understanding Film Theory

by Christine Etherington-Wright, Ruth Doughty

This essential core textbook provides an approachable and extensive introduction to film theory, written by two highly experienced senior lecturers. Bringing a fresh, contemporary and accessible approach to what is often perceived to be a challenging and old-fashioned area of film studies that requires time and effort to grasp, the text illustrates why theory is important and demonstrates how it can be applied in a meaningful way. The book's sixteen chapters are clear and comprehensive and provide an insight into the main areas of debate, using clear definitions and explaining complex ideas succinctly.

The ideal entry point for any student studying film, the book is designed for use on courses on film theory on undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes within film, cinema, media and cultural studies.

New to this
- An expanded introduction, plus a new chapter looking at Adaptation
- Contemporary case studies exploring popular and topical films, such as The Hunger Games (2012), Blue is the Warmest Colour (2013) and The Lego Movie (2014)
- An expanded introduction, plus a new chapter looking at Adaptation
- Additional genre-based case study on the British Gangster film
- Additional actor-basedcase study on Ryan Gosling
- A greater focus throughout on the relevance of film theory to students undertaking practical film degrees and units

Genres: Film, Nonfiction

325 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2011

Reviews

[Ketab Dozd · Rating 5 out of 5]

حالا که هردو جلدشو خوندم بنظرم ارزش پنج ستاره دادنو داره. کتاب جامعی بود که آدم رو با ذکر مثال‌های متعدد و آثار اصلی منتشر شده در جریان رویکردهایی که تا به حال در مطالعات سینما وجود داشتن قرار می‌داد. من ترجمه‌ش رو به اسم «درک تئوری فیلم» خوندم که در طاقچه موجوده. ترجمه روان بود هرچند رسم‌الخط عجیبی داشت که فکر میکنم چندان مهم نیست. ضمن این که اگر سانسوری در کار بود لااقل به طور محسوس نبود و بخش همجنسگرایان و کوییرها بنظر کامل و بدون دخل و تصرف میومدن. توصیه میکنم.

[Trevor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is basically a textbook for an introductory film theory course. It's a bit dry since it's an academic text, but it uses current examples of well-known movies, so it's still relevant for the general public.

A good overview of the different frameworks that can be used to analyze a movie, including summaries of the notable academic contributions to each theory.

[Vahid Rajabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

کتاب خیلی خوبیه که جدیدا ترجمه شده. در دو جلد. از دست ندین

[Eskil · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the book is good for pointing to further reading materials, it feels quite sloppy because it does very little in the way of processing or commenting on the referenced material, and there are a number of typos and missed spaces. Fukasaku Kinji is refered to as "Fukaska" both in an early chapter and in the index, but not in the reception studies chapter. Japanese names are traditionally written (incorrectly) with the first name first in the West, and this is done on page 42, but on page 297, where they spelled his last name correctly, it's done the other way around. They also refer to Park Chan-Wook as "Chan-Wook Park, often referred to as Park Chan-Wook (...)," and I can tell the good doctors why he is: because that's how everyone writes Korean names. You don't see anyone going around talking about Il-Sung Kim, leader of North Korea, do you? And it's not like his whole family have the same first name and different last names.

Anyway, the case studies are quite helpful. Some of the comments from the authors are simply a bit strange. It's a weak three stars because this all distracted from the experience. It's never nice when a book feels rushed, even if you got it for £10.

[Doug Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this is a great overview of the key theories film students should know. Really useful further reading/viewing suggestions with links in the kindle version. It also discusses some less probed theories of film with up to date 2016/17 research