The Haunted Screen Expressionism in the German Cinema and the Influence of Max Reinhardt

Eisner, Lotte H.

ISBN 10: 0520257901 / ISBN 13: 9780520257900

Published by Univ of California Pr, 2008

About this Item

2nd edition. 360 pages. 8.50x6.00x0.75 inches. In Stock.

Seller Inventory # x-0520257901

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Haunted Screen Expressionism in the German Cinema and the Influence of Max Reinhardt
• Publisher: Univ of California Pr
• Publication Date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0520257901
• ISBN 13: 9780520257900
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Brand New
• Weight: 0.49 kilograms

About this title

Synopsis

The Golden Age of German cinema began at the end of the First World War and ended shortly after the coming of sound. From The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari onwards the principal films of this period were characterized by two influences: literary Expressionism, and the innovations of the theatre directors of this period, in particular Max Reinhardt. This book demonstrates the connection between German Romanticism and the cinema through Expressionist writings. It discusses the influence of the theatre: the handling of crowds; the use of different levels, and of selective lighting on a predominately dark stage; the reliance on formalized gesture; the innovation of the intimate theatre. Against this background the principal films of the period are examined in detail. The author explains the key critical concepts of the time, and surveys not only the work of the great directors, such as Fritz Lang and F. W. Murnau, but also the contribution of their writers, cameramen, and designers. As The Times Literary Supplement wrote, 'Mme. Eisner is first and foremost a film critic, and one of the best in the world. She has all the necessary gifts.' And it described the original French edition of this book as 'one of the very few classics of writing on the film and arguably the best book on the cinema yet written.'

About the Author

Film critic, poet, and historian Lotte H. Eisner (1896-1983) was Chief Archivist for the French Cinematheque and a member of the French Légion d'honneur.