The Encyclopedia of Epic Films

The Encyclopedia of Epic Films PDF Author: Constantine Santas
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
ISBN: 0810882485
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 713

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Book Description
Soon after film came into existence, the term epic was used to describe productions that were lengthy, spectacular, live with action, and often filmed in exotic locales with large casts and staggering budgets. The effort and extravagance needed to mount an epic film paid off handsomely at the box office, for the genre became an immediate favorite with audiences. Epic films survived the tribulations of two world wars and the Depression and have retained the basic characteristics of size and glamour for more than a hundred years. Length was, and still is, one of the traits of the epic, though monolithic three- to four-hour spectacles like Gone with the Wind (1939) and Lawrence of Arabia (1962) have been replaced today by such franchises as the Harry Potter films and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Although the form has evolved during many decades of existence, its central elements have been retained, refined, and modernized to suit the tastes of every new generation. The Encyclopedia of Epic Films identifies, describes, and analyzes those films that meet the criteria of the epic—sweeping drama, panoramic landscapes, lengthy adventure sequences, and, in many cases, casts of thousands. This volume looks at the wide variety of epics produced over the last century—from the silent spectacles of D. W. Griffith and biblical melodramas of Cecil B. DeMille to the historical dramas of David Lean and rollercoaster thrillers of Steven Spielberg. Each entry contains: Major personnel behind the camera, including directors and screenwriters Cast and character listings Plot summary Analysis Academy Award wins and nominations DVD and Blu-ray availability Resources for further study This volume also includes appendixes of foreign epics, superhero spectaculars, and epics produced for television, along with a list of all the directors in the book. Despite a lack of overall critical recognition and respect as a genre, the epic remains a favorite of audiences, and this book pays homage to a form of mass entertainment that continues to fill movie theaters. The Encyclopedia of Epic Films will be of interest to academics and scholars, as well as any fan of films made on a grand scale.

The Encyclopedia of Epic Films

The Encyclopedia of Epic Films PDF Author: Constantine Santas
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
ISBN: 0810882485
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 713

Get Book

Book Description
Soon after film came into existence, the term epic was used to describe productions that were lengthy, spectacular, live with action, and often filmed in exotic locales with large casts and staggering budgets. The effort and extravagance needed to mount an epic film paid off handsomely at the box office, for the genre became an immediate favorite with audiences. Epic films survived the tribulations of two world wars and the Depression and have retained the basic characteristics of size and glamour for more than a hundred years. Length was, and still is, one of the traits of the epic, though monolithic three- to four-hour spectacles like Gone with the Wind (1939) and Lawrence of Arabia (1962) have been replaced today by such franchises as the Harry Potter films and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Although the form has evolved during many decades of existence, its central elements have been retained, refined, and modernized to suit the tastes of every new generation. The Encyclopedia of Epic Films identifies, describes, and analyzes those films that meet the criteria of the epic—sweeping drama, panoramic landscapes, lengthy adventure sequences, and, in many cases, casts of thousands. This volume looks at the wide variety of epics produced over the last century—from the silent spectacles of D. W. Griffith and biblical melodramas of Cecil B. DeMille to the historical dramas of David Lean and rollercoaster thrillers of Steven Spielberg. Each entry contains: Major personnel behind the camera, including directors and screenwriters Cast and character listings Plot summary Analysis Academy Award wins and nominations DVD and Blu-ray availability Resources for further study This volume also includes appendixes of foreign epics, superhero spectaculars, and epics produced for television, along with a list of all the directors in the book. Despite a lack of overall critical recognition and respect as a genre, the epic remains a favorite of audiences, and this book pays homage to a form of mass entertainment that continues to fill movie theaters. The Encyclopedia of Epic Films will be of interest to academics and scholars, as well as any fan of films made on a grand scale.

The Epic in Film

The Epic in Film PDF Author: Constantine Santas
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 9780742555297
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 258

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Book Description
In The Epic in Film, Constantine Santas argues that "blockbuster" and "artistic" are not mutually exclusive terms and, perhaps more importantly, that epic film is an inherently profound genre in its ability to tap into the dreams and fears of a nation, and sometimes those of the human race. Why do we see dozens and dozens of films based on the King Arthur legend? Why would a presidential hopeful borrow the phrase "Read my lips" from Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry? Why do war epics proliferate in times of war or national crisis? Why are epics as a whole the most popular movie genre? Whether you love Gone with the Wind and hate Troy, find Akira Kurosawa's films brilliant or marvel over the depth of the Matrix trilogy, if you're a film buff, you will want to read this first book-length treatment of the epic-a wildly popular, infinitely fascinating, and critically underappreciated genre.

The Epic Films of David Lean

The Epic Films of David Lean PDF Author: Constantine Santas
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
ISBN: 0810882108
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 241

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Book Description
In this volume, David Lean's now undervalued epics--The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago, Ryan's Daughter, and A Passage to India--are restored to the elevated esteem they once held.

The Encyclopedia of Superheroes on Film and Television, 2d ed.

The Encyclopedia of Superheroes on Film and Television, 2d ed. PDF Author: John Kenneth Muir
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 0786437553
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 705

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Book Description
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a complete guide to over 50 years of superheroes on screen! This expanded and updated edition of the 2004 award-winning encyclopedia covers important developments in the popular genre; adds new shows such as Heroes and Zoom; includes the latest films featuring icons like Superman, Spiderman and Batman; and covers even more types of superheroes. Each entry includes a detailed history, cast and credits, episode and film descriptions, critical commentaries, and data on arch-villains, gadgets, comic-book origins and super powers, while placing each production into its historical context. Appendices list common superhero conventions and cliches; incarnations; memorable ad lines; and the best, worst, and most influential productions from 1951 to 2008.

The Essential Films of Ingrid Bergman

The Essential Films of Ingrid Bergman PDF Author: Constantine Santas
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1538101408
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
This book examines each of Ingrid Bergman's most significant films, from her early career in Sweden and her triumphs in Hollywood in the 1940s and 50s to her acclaimed performances in the 1970s and 80s. Each entry provides production history, plot summaries, film highlights, and major award details. DVD and Blu-Ray availability are also provided.

Epic Films

Epic Films PDF Author: Gary Allen Smith
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 1476604185
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 320

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Book Description
“Epic” films, those concerned with monumental events and larger-than-life characters, cover the period from the Creation to the A.D. 1200s and have been churned out by Hollywood and overseas studios since the dawn of filmmaking. Cecil B. DeMille, a master of the genre, hit upon the perfect mixture of sex, splendor, and the sacred to lure audiences to his epic productions. The 355 film entries include casts and credits, plot synopsis, and narratives on the making of the films. There are 190 photographs in this editon.

Dances with Wolves

Dances with Wolves PDF Author: Michael Blake
Publisher: Fawcett
ISBN: 0449134482
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 322

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Book Description
Ordered to hold an abandoned army post, John Dunbar found himself alone, beyond the edge of civilization. Thievery and survival soon forced him into the Indian camp, where he began a dangerous adventure that changed his life forever. Relive the adventure and beauty of the incredible movie, DANCES WITH WOLVES.

The James Bond Movie Encyclopedia

The James Bond Movie Encyclopedia PDF Author: Steven Jay Rubin
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
ISBN: 1641600853
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 841

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Book Description
"Nobody does 007 encyclopedias better than Bond historian Steven Jay Rubin. Buy this one. M's orders." —George Lazenby, James Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service Packed with behind-the-scenes information, fascinating facts, trivia, bloopers, classic quotes, character bios, cast and filmmaker bios, and hundreds of rare and unusual photographs of those in front of and behind the camera Ian Fleming's James Bond character has entertained motion picture audiences for nearly sixty years, and the filmmakers have come a long way since they spent $1 million producing the very first James Bond movie, Dr. No, in 1962. The 2015 Bond title, Spectre, cost $250 million and grossed $881 million worldwide—and 2021's No Time to Die is certain to become another global blockbuster. The James Bond Movie Encyclopedia is the completely up-to-date edition of author Steven Jay Rubin's seminal work on the James Bond film series. It covers the entire series through No Time to Die and showcases the type of exhaustive research that has been a hallmark of Rubin's work in film history. From the bios of Bond girls in front of the camera to rare and unusual photographs of those behind it, no detail of the Bond legacy is left uncovered.

Music in Epic Film

Music in Epic Film PDF Author: Stephen C. Meyer
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1317425871
Category : Music
Languages : en
Pages : 244

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Book Description
As both a distinct genre and a particular mode of filmmaking, the idea of the epic has been central to the history of cinema. Including contributions from both established and emerging film music scholars, the ten essays in Music in Epic Film: Listening to Spectacle provide a cross-section of contemporary scholarship on the subject. They explore diverse topics, including the function of music in epic narratives, the socio-political implications of cinematic music, and the use of pre-existing music in epic films. Intended for students and scholars in film music, film appreciation, and media studies, the wide range of topics and the diversity of the films that the authors discuss make Music in Epic Film: Listening to Spectacle an ideal introduction to the field of music in epic film.

The Encyclopedia of Musicians and Bands on Film

The Encyclopedia of Musicians and Bands on Film PDF Author: Melissa U. D. Goldsmith
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1442269871
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 486

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Book Description
Musicians, both fictional and real, have long been subjects of cinema. From biopics of composers Beethoven and Mozart to the rise (and often fall) of imaginary bands in The Commitments and Almost Famous, music of all types has inspired hundreds of films. The Encyclopedia of Musicians and Bands on Film features the most significant productions from around the world, including straightforward biographies, rockumentaries, and even the occasional mockumentary. The wide-ranging scope of this volume allows for the inclusion of films about fictional singers and bands, with emphasis on a variety of themes: songwriter–band relationships, the rise and fall of a career, music saving the day, the promoter’s point of view, band competitions, the traveling band, and rock-based absurdity. Among the films discussed in this book are Amadeus, The Blues Brothers, The Buddy Holly Story, The Commitments, Dreamgirls, The Glenn Miller Story, A Hard Day’s Night, I’m Not There, Jailhouse Rock, A Mighty Wind, Ray, ’Round Midnight, The Runaways, School of Rock, That Thing You Do!, and Walk the Line. With entries that span the decades and highlight a variety of music genres, The Encyclopedia of Musicians and Bands on Film is a valuable resource for moviegoers and music lovers alike, as well as scholars of both film and music.