A chronology of film A cultural timeline from the magic lantern to the digital screen

Smith (a London-based writer and author/editor of numerous books on film) provides an informative volume that traces the development of film within the context of social, cultural, and historical timelines. From the 19th century--the camera obscura, Eadweard Muybridge's animal locomotion studies, William Lincoln's zöetrope, the short films of the Lumière brothers, and Thomas Edison's vitascope--to the present day advances in digital technology, Smith provides brief highlights of major developments in film against the backdrop of key moments in history. The six chapters cover the genesis of film, revolutionary images, breaking barriers, art versus commerce, and the digital screen. Smith includes insightful discussions of the rise of the film star, the cinema of spectacle, German expressionism, innovations in sound, the Western, color, war, Italian neorealism, film waves, modern horror, the blockbuster, Bollywood, feminist film, new queer cinema, and South Korean cinema. Key films are illustrated by way of movie posters and stills. The volume concludes with listings of Academy Awards Best Pictures and the Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or, along with an extensive bibliography of suggested books for further reading. Recommended for all collections. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers. --Les Kong, emeritus, California State University, San Bernardino

This highly visual volume traces the history of narrative feature filmmaking, balancing aspects of art and commerce. Over 200 critically acclaimed films are treated here, and many key figures are noted. Beginning with a foundation of visual language from Paleolithic life to early motion-camera work, the book then covers major film movements, from the silent film era with its range of experimental approaches, to the golden era and new independent cinematic language and approaches, to technical advances and increasingly diverse voices in cinema. Each chapter begins with a narrative overview, followed by details of films in historical context. Essays treat specific topics such as the impact of different film movements, national movements, and technical innovations. While largely focused on American and European films, the book does include milestones from around the world. The book concludes with a chronological list of the Academy Award and Palme d'Or winners, a two-page bibliography, detailed index, and list of picture credits. Smith's writing is engaging and informative, and the book's layout, with images on almost every page, is attractive. This volume is a browsable joy that gives a good introduction to this serious craft. Expect a wide readership.

Haydn Smith's (The Short Story of Film; Cult Filmmakers) nuanced chronology blends discussions of groundbreaking films, filmmaking innovations, and noteworthy historical and cultural events. As he expounds on the history of film, from cave painting to Eadweard Muybridge's The Horse in Motion to the effect of 9/11 and social media on filmmaking, a time line runs along the bottom of the pages, noting the invention of the radio, the Battle of the Somme, Emmett Till's lynching, Google's debut, and more. Short descriptions of some 200 movies are scattered throughout (A Trip to the Moon; 8 ½; Parasite), with hundreds of photographs. Haydn Smith's scope is wide, including international films, feature films, and documentaries. VERDICT Scholars will especially appreciate the depth of thought, and the images make this work an enjoyable browse for casual film buffs.