Lost Illusions: American Cinema in the Age of Watergate and Vietnam, 1970-1979

by David A. Cook

Book Overview

This award-winning examination of the American film industry has already been acclaimed as A major achievement in film history, unlikely to be surpassed for many years (American Historical Review) and an indispensable set (Film Quarterly) that should become the standard reference work in every American library (Choice).

The 10-volume, illustrated series considers the film industry from its early roots in the 19th century right up to 1990. It...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684804638
• ISBN13: 9780684804637
• Release Date: November 1999
• Publisher: Charles Scribner's Sons
• Length: 720 Pages
• Weight: 3.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 7.4" x 10.2"

Customer Reviews

Engaging history of cinema

The 70's is part of the landmark series created and edited by Charles H. Harpole. Each volume covers about a decade and was conceived as a readable scholarly history, each with the same coverage: the stylistic, technological, and economic factors of American feature, documentary, and avant garde cinema. The goal is to be comprehensive, judicious, and well researched without losing the love of the movies. The illustrations are particularily good in that they are often real frame enlargements or are not published elsewhere. The U.Calif. Press paperbacks are reproductions of the Scribner $70 hardbacks and thus are a bargain. Look for the other 9 books of the Series and enjoy!

Excellent account of Seventies film

Of the volumes in the excellent History of the American Cinema series, this is the best by far. Cook provides a superb, balanced overview of the film industry in the 1970s, considering practically every aspect of the topic--from the economics of the industry to the production trends to even the distribution and innovations in film technology. For any serious student of film history, this is a must read!

Recommended for movie buffs and film historians.

David A. Cook's volume Lost Illusions contributes Volume 9 to the ongoing History of the American Cinema series, covering the period from 1970-79 when American cinema operated against the social conditions of Vietnam and Watergate. The rise of film conglomerates is charted along with new filmmaking techniques.