Film Art: An Introduction

by David Bordwell, Jeff Smith, Kristin Thompson, et al.

Book Overview

Film is an art form with a language and an aesthetic all its own. Since 1979, David Bordwell , Kristin Thompson and now, Co-Author, Jeff Smith's Film Art has been the best-selling and most widely... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0072484551
• ISBN13: 9780072484557
• Release Date: June 2003
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 532 Pages
• Weight: 2.46 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Excellent Product

I need this book for uni and the semester hasn't begun yet so i cannot tell you about the actual book. However, i can tell you this is a fantastic second hand copy which is in great condition. It also contains the learning CD so you should feel very confident buying from this seller.

I DO recommend this book

The previous review of this book was by a film professor. This one is by a film STUDENT. This book was required reading for my first film class which was an introduction to film class called: the Language of Film. This book is definitely a great introduction to the art of film. It is not a book about filmmaking. It is a book that introduces with each chapter a new angle from which film can be studied. Everything about film is covered: Film history; genre films; narrative form; the stages of film production, distribution, and exhibition; mise-en-scene; editing and sound in cinema; film criticism; and the future of film. Each section is accompanied by examples and screen captures from popular classic and modern films, and scattered quotations from popular and obscure filmmakers. The title of this book is a perfect description of what the book is. If you are a beginner, it is perfect for an overview or outline of what film is. If you are an advanced film student, it is great for sharpening your knowledge of film. With regard to the previous review by the film professor who was afraid that this book would put off his/her students, it would be better for students to know early on what they are getting themselves into. If you are actually turned off after reading this book, you shouldn't go any further with your film studies. In conclusion, this is a great book that introduces the purely cinematic aspects of film that distinguishes it from every other art form. I highly recommend it.

A better book than this on the art of film?? Naaa!!!!!

This book is useful as a university textbook, but is also excellent for filmgoers who would like to understand a bit more than the average audience.

This book covers the basics with a lot of pictures

I found this book to be a an interesting and informative look at the history of films. Well, to be honest, it has lots of pictures and makes good use of them. If you love film, you'll love this book.