Andre Bazin on Adaptation: Cinema's Literary Imagination

André Bazin's lifelong quest was to understand what cinema is, and he achieved this by comparing films to literature. This collection of essays showcases his film theory and reviews films adapted from renowned novels and classic novels, providing insights into the relationship between film and literary adaptation. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in literary adaptation, authorship, classical film theory, French film history, and André Bazin's criticism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 436 pages
Publication date: 22 February 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

André Bazin's lifelong quest was to understand the essence of cinema, and his approach of comparing films to literature played a pivotal role in achieving this understanding. By placing these two mediums side by side, Bazin was able to discern the unique aesthetic and sociological characteristics of each. Moreover, his advocacy for a modern conception of cinema, which drew heavily from advancements in the novel, was greatly influenced by this comparative analysis.

This collection showcases the remarkable critical genius of Bazin, one of the most influential film and cultural critics of the 20th century. It provides readers with an in-depth exploration of his foundational concepts regarding the relationship between film and literary adaptation. Expertly curated and with an introduction by renowned film scholar Dudley Andrew, the book begins with a selection of essays that demonstrate Bazin's film theory in action.

Following this, the book offers reviews of films adapted from renowned novels of the day, such as Conrad, Hemingway, Steinbeck, Colette, Sagan, Duras, and others. Additionally, it includes critical assessments of classic novels from the 19th century, including works by authors like Bronte, Melville, Tolstoy, Balzac, Hugo, Zola, Stendhal, and many more.

As a special bonus, Bazin delves into two hundred and fifty years of French fiction, analyzing adaptation after adaptation to assess its impact on culture, literature, and, most importantly, cinema. This volume serves as an invaluable resource for anyone interested in literary adaptation, authorship, classical film theory, French film history, and the critical insights of André Bazin.

Dimension: 210 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520375802