Silent Film: A Very Short Introduction

The silent era of film, between the mid-1890s and the late 1920s, is a crucial period in film history, often misunderstood. This book offers a concise and accessible overview, covering the invention of motion pictures, the rise of Hollywood studios, and films and filmmakers from around the world. It highlights the artistic abundance and global variety of the silent era, from groundbreaking early shorts to the masterpieces of the classical era. The book also explores the legacy of imagination and innovation that continues to influence the cinema today.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 160 pages
\n Publication date: 22 October 2020
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
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Spanning the thirty-five years between the initial development of film technology in the mid-1890s and the adoption of synchronized sound in the late 1920s, the silent era of cinema stands as a pivotal and often misunderstood chapter in film history. In this concise yet comprehensive account, these formative decades come alive, offering a captivating glimpse into the birth of film as a global entertainment phenomenon. Covering the full expanse of the silent era, from the invention of motion pictures to the rise of Hollywood studios, and encompassing films and filmmakers from every corner of the globe, Silent Film: A Very Short Introduction provides a window into the early years of film as a worldwide entertainment sensation.

From groundbreaking early shorts to the masterpieces of the cinema's classical era, from street-corner nickelodeons to grand movie palaces, from slapstick to the avant-garde, the silent era's artistic abundance and global diversity are showcased in all their glory. Within the narrative of silent film, we witness not only the origins of a new cultural industry but also a legacy of imagination and innovation that continues to profoundly influence the cinema even today.

The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press boasts an extensive collection of titles spanning nearly every subject area. These pocket-sized books are designed to provide a quick and efficient introduction to new subjects, offering concise yet comprehensive insights from expert authors. With a blend of facts, analysis, perspective, innovative ideas, and infectious enthusiasm, these books make even the most challenging topics highly accessible and engaging for readers of all levels.

\n Weight: 128g\n
Dimension: 112 x 173 x 12 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780190852528\n \n