The Films of Fritz Lang: Allegories of Vision and Modernity

by Tom Gunning

This study examines the early work of Fritz Lang, proposing readings of the entire output of one of cinema's foremost directors. It emphasizes Lang's reflection on modernity, and hones in on the problem of identity and subjectivity in a progressively more automated, impersonal world.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Media Tie In, Biography

528 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2000

Reviews

[Steven Linden · Rating 3 out of 5]

This study of (most of) the films directed by Lang is not exactly what you could call a quick, breezy read, but as something of a big Lang fan (I've seen all 41 of his extant films), I found it interesting. Gunning focuses on what he calls the "Destiny-machine" in Lang's works - a kind of modern reinterpretation of the idea of fate as a product of the impersonal network of technology that pervades the modern world. It's an interesting idea, and Gunning supports his readings of the films with detailed and astute examinations of them. There were moments when I disagreed with him (and other moments when I rolled my eyes at some of the very much steeped-in-academic-film-theory language) but overall I found his arguments compelling. I do sometimes wish that he had taken a slightly broader approach, and in particular I missed any real discussion of some of Lang's films that were left out as not being pertinent to his thesis (the war films, Rancho Notorious, Moonfleet, and the Indian epic, mainly).

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I'm not really sure that all of what Gunning talks about is allegorical and he's a little repetitive, but it is an interesting look at Lang's work and made me want to see many of the films that he talks about.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully written comprehensive book on Fritz Lang's work. I highly recommend it.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dry, scholastic, uninspired, soulless discussion about those films. Weaseling around the more interesting subjects: that person said this, and than moving to safer areas.