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Главное в истории кино
Каждая из разновидностей кино - экспериментальное, документальное, короткометражное и анимационное - заслуживает отдельной истории, и поверхностный обзор приуменьшил бы их достижения. Данная книга исследует то, каким образом коммерческий, независимый и артхаусный кинематографы возникли, расцвели и продолжали адаптироваться к изменениям на протяжении неспокойного века.
В книге описаны основные направления и жанры кино, а также формообразующие приемы. Рассматриваются фильмы, каждый из которых приносил удовольствие, шокировал, задавал неудобные вопросы и увлекал за собой, - от новаторских ранних лент Чарли Чаплина до переосмысления криминального жанра Квентином Тарантино.
В книге четыре раздела: жанры, ключевые фильмы, направления и приемы. Каждый раздел можно читать в любом порядке, а в нижней части каждой страницы можно найти ссылки на другие разделы. Под чертой изложены ключевые достижения и биографии режиссеров.
В книге описаны основные направления и жанры кино, а также формообразующие приемы. Рассматриваются фильмы, каждый из которых приносил удовольствие, шокировал, задавал неудобные вопросы и увлекал за собой, - от новаторских ранних лент Чарли Чаплина до переосмысления криминального жанра Квентином Тарантино.
В книге четыре раздела: жанры, ключевые фильмы, направления и приемы. Каждый раздел можно читать в любом порядке, а в нижней части каждой страницы можно найти ссылки на другие разделы. Под чертой изложены ключевые достижения и биографии режиссеров.
- GenresNonfictionArtFilm
224 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2020
33 people are currently reading
364 people want to read
About the author
Ian Haydn Smith
31 books27 followersIan Haydn Smith is the editor of Curzon and BFI Filmmakers magazines. He has written and broadcast widely on film and photography.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 31, 2023
This book gives an overview about film genres, important films (“film-highlights”), movements and techniques. For a book of 200 pages with lots of pictures this is quite a lot. Not surprisingly it does not accomplish much. What are the film genres? We get romantic comedy and screwball comedy but no comedy. And of course no slapstick. We get Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, but no Laurel and Hardy, Marx Brothers or W.C. Fields. There is Racefilm and something called Giallo among the genres.
But no Swashbuckler.
I cannot take a book about movies seriously that does not include “Gone with the Wind“ among the “highlights”. I realise that these days you cannot restrict a book on films on the ones made in Hollywood. But this is overdoing it. So there is a Taiwanese New Wave? I was not even aware that there had been an old wave. Which might be due to my ignorance.
The Hollywood star system is handled under techniques. And guess what are the films mentioned as typical for the star system? I give you a clue. One of them is Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Why are books like this written? Because there are people who need a quick gift for someone who loves the movies.
But no Swashbuckler.
I cannot take a book about movies seriously that does not include “Gone with the Wind“ among the “highlights”. I realise that these days you cannot restrict a book on films on the ones made in Hollywood. But this is overdoing it. So there is a Taiwanese New Wave? I was not even aware that there had been an old wave. Which might be due to my ignorance.
The Hollywood star system is handled under techniques. And guess what are the films mentioned as typical for the star system? I give you a clue. One of them is Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Why are books like this written? Because there are people who need a quick gift for someone who loves the movies.
August 11, 2021
This book's title is a bit of a misnomer. From it one would expect that the book is short (it's not, it's a usual book length of around 200 pages) and that it is constructed in a narrative form (it is not). Instead, the book contains short discussions of different aspects of film that are designed to present the reader with an understanding both of the technical language of film and film criticism as well as a knowledge of genres and films that are viewed as being important by the author for the reader to know. All of this would be well and good if the author had a good idea of what was significant and didn't use the book to promote his own agenda so often. Indeed, his tiresome commentary on genres he's not fond of and his advocacy of genres and movies that he does find significant based on his own background makes this book an example of why contemporary leftist tries to ruin everything with its focus on identity theories of one kind or another. This book, lamentably, falls into that trap.
July 11, 2022
Buen libro para hablar con propiedad acerca de un tema del que no tengo ni idea.
Cumple la función de invitación, como un bosque de vínculos.
Cumple la función de invitación, como un bosque de vínculos.
April 10, 2020
Comprising of choice genres, films, movements, and techniques, it's a crash-course in film history that won't make you feel so out of the loop if you're ever in the presence of any "inside baseball" talk. If you asked 50 different people to author this, it would've come out 50 different ways, so it's always pretty neat to see what makes the list of examples and such.
The layout is explained upfront (which is really courteous), the book's colorful/eye-catching, it's a condensed read, and, if you're deficient on watching the classics, Smith has given you PLENTY to catch up on.
I don't have any official complaints--just one thing that I would've done differently: I know that many films extend into numerous genres, but, at least for the sake of extending film recommendations as far as they can go with this handy pocket guide, I would've only had a film be selected as a "must watch" example one time only. None of these genres are so tapped that you can't give more than 4 or 5 choices for each category.
Ever wondered what Mumblecore is but you're too lazy to Google it? What about a tracking shot? So much of these things are hidden in plain sight, and it's always great to read precisely what they are (and what they are not). I learned a good bit (wasn't too knowledgeable about the film movements), and I have a host of watershed films to check out now. This work provides key context without appearing to get too biased, and it's a genuine read for any seeking to enrich their film-going experience.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Laurence King Publishing for the advance read.
The layout is explained upfront (which is really courteous), the book's colorful/eye-catching, it's a condensed read, and, if you're deficient on watching the classics, Smith has given you PLENTY to catch up on.
I don't have any official complaints--just one thing that I would've done differently: I know that many films extend into numerous genres, but, at least for the sake of extending film recommendations as far as they can go with this handy pocket guide, I would've only had a film be selected as a "must watch" example one time only. None of these genres are so tapped that you can't give more than 4 or 5 choices for each category.
Ever wondered what Mumblecore is but you're too lazy to Google it? What about a tracking shot? So much of these things are hidden in plain sight, and it's always great to read precisely what they are (and what they are not). I learned a good bit (wasn't too knowledgeable about the film movements), and I have a host of watershed films to check out now. This work provides key context without appearing to get too biased, and it's a genuine read for any seeking to enrich their film-going experience.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Laurence King Publishing for the advance read.
July 27, 2024
Over the next two decades, what Louis Lumière saw as a novelty would begin its journey to becoming a vast industry, the pre-eminent form of entertainment for much of the twentieth century and, for some critics, its defining art form.
I bought this book at the Academy Museum in LA which is so amazing and cool. This book did what it said it would do for me. I like making lists and collecting books with lists of films so this was just great. I appreciated how the chosen films weren't always the obvious (although definitely a lot of white male filmmakers mentioned) and some of the movements were again very varied. I found some of the contextualisation of the films a little odd (why are talking about a 'Trumpian worldview' on the 'There Will Be Blood' page? Like, I get it but also, no I don't. Trump was mentioned in this book about film TWICE for some reason), but overall I found this to be a really good resource, especially if you want little snapshots of movements, techniques and genres. I was surprised to see the word 'colour' spelt with the u and not 'color' because I bought it in America but realised the author was British lol.
I bought this book at the Academy Museum in LA which is so amazing and cool. This book did what it said it would do for me. I like making lists and collecting books with lists of films so this was just great. I appreciated how the chosen films weren't always the obvious (although definitely a lot of white male filmmakers mentioned) and some of the movements were again very varied. I found some of the contextualisation of the films a little odd (why are talking about a 'Trumpian worldview' on the 'There Will Be Blood' page? Like, I get it but also, no I don't. Trump was mentioned in this book about film TWICE for some reason), but overall I found this to be a really good resource, especially if you want little snapshots of movements, techniques and genres. I was surprised to see the word 'colour' spelt with the u and not 'color' because I bought it in America but realised the author was British lol.
May 17, 2023
actual rating may be 3.5 ⭐️
The book is nice but oh ma god this man needs to upgrade his register because he used the same expressions and words for every. single. movie. Like just google synonyms and that would have been a lot better 😭 also some movies he listed just didn’t make sense for me if he wanted to focus on like „important movies“ or „movies everyone should‘ve seen“.
And bro don’t get me started on how biased he wrote 😭😭 i really expected objective views and writing towards the movies etc. but oh boy it was so obvious he added some movies just because they were his favourites i mean good for him but absolutely trashing other movies along the way??
The book is nice but oh ma god this man needs to upgrade his register because he used the same expressions and words for every. single. movie. Like just google synonyms and that would have been a lot better 😭 also some movies he listed just didn’t make sense for me if he wanted to focus on like „important movies“ or „movies everyone should‘ve seen“.
And bro don’t get me started on how biased he wrote 😭😭 i really expected objective views and writing towards the movies etc. but oh boy it was so obvious he added some movies just because they were his favourites i mean good for him but absolutely trashing other movies along the way??
August 4, 2020
A quick guide to key films, concepts, genres and people. Some terms will make more sense to those who have studied film. It is good that the author also covered foreign cinema, parallel cinema, and camera techniques, and visuals complement the text.
December 1, 2021
The Short Story of Film: A Pocket Guide to Key Genres, Films, Techniques and Movements by Ian Haydn Smith is a very pleasant surprise. I will elaborate on that but for those considering the book, the title really does sum it up nicely (though being the stickler I am I have an issue with one word).
First, this is likely the type of book that will be criticized for not being what it never set out to be. This is not an exhaustive history and this is not research that might shed new information or light on the topic. This is a short history that seeks to simply place the films, techniques, genres, and movements in a coherent context. Judged by that goal, it succeeds very well. In fact, even if I were still in academia focusing on popular culture I would add this book to my library simply because it does an excellent job of contextualizing these things.
While this would indeed be a great book for someone who knows nothing about film (are there such people any more? Film has become such a part of the world in which we live that we all know something about it, even if some of what we know is wrong or skewed) it also is a wonderful book for the film lover who watches a lot and knows quite a bit but has not really thought about how it all connects. I know some people who can speak very intelligently about film, admittedly about their preferred genres and/or time periods primarily, who would enjoy what this book has to offer.
The list of films, like any list, can be debated. heck, that is half the fun of a list. But the criteria Smith used includes limiting any filmmaker to just one film. The choices he made were largely determined by which film illustrates some part of film history best rather than it necessarily being the best or the most popular from that director. This might be a good place to mention the one word in the title I take issue with. I would prefer the title to be A Short Story of Film rather than The Short Story of Film. Just like any history book, choices were made, which means other choices could have been made, which means there are multiple histories, not a single one. But that is just one of my personal peeves, so...
What truly surprised me was that I expected the brief write-ups, whether about a film, a genre, a movement, or a technique, to be so basic as to be boring if you had already been introduced to the topic. But Smith truly tried to make connections between these various topics as well as the time periods in which they flourished or faded. The events throughout the 20th century did play a part in how film developed (no pun intended) and those things are brought in far more than I would have expected. And that, to me, is what makes this a particularly good short introduction and history of film. Film is the focus of the text but it is not presented as if it grew in a vacuum.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes or studies film, from scholars to casual film buffs. The book will serve each group differently, but has something to offer everyone (unless you truly believe you know and can always recall everything about film, in which case, wow, you're my hero). Most people will pick up at least some new information, be reminded of some things they likely forgot, and come away with a nice overview of the history as a whole rather than episodic.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
First, this is likely the type of book that will be criticized for not being what it never set out to be. This is not an exhaustive history and this is not research that might shed new information or light on the topic. This is a short history that seeks to simply place the films, techniques, genres, and movements in a coherent context. Judged by that goal, it succeeds very well. In fact, even if I were still in academia focusing on popular culture I would add this book to my library simply because it does an excellent job of contextualizing these things.
While this would indeed be a great book for someone who knows nothing about film (are there such people any more? Film has become such a part of the world in which we live that we all know something about it, even if some of what we know is wrong or skewed) it also is a wonderful book for the film lover who watches a lot and knows quite a bit but has not really thought about how it all connects. I know some people who can speak very intelligently about film, admittedly about their preferred genres and/or time periods primarily, who would enjoy what this book has to offer.
The list of films, like any list, can be debated. heck, that is half the fun of a list. But the criteria Smith used includes limiting any filmmaker to just one film. The choices he made were largely determined by which film illustrates some part of film history best rather than it necessarily being the best or the most popular from that director. This might be a good place to mention the one word in the title I take issue with. I would prefer the title to be A Short Story of Film rather than The Short Story of Film. Just like any history book, choices were made, which means other choices could have been made, which means there are multiple histories, not a single one. But that is just one of my personal peeves, so...
What truly surprised me was that I expected the brief write-ups, whether about a film, a genre, a movement, or a technique, to be so basic as to be boring if you had already been introduced to the topic. But Smith truly tried to make connections between these various topics as well as the time periods in which they flourished or faded. The events throughout the 20th century did play a part in how film developed (no pun intended) and those things are brought in far more than I would have expected. And that, to me, is what makes this a particularly good short introduction and history of film. Film is the focus of the text but it is not presented as if it grew in a vacuum.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes or studies film, from scholars to casual film buffs. The book will serve each group differently, but has something to offer everyone (unless you truly believe you know and can always recall everything about film, in which case, wow, you're my hero). Most people will pick up at least some new information, be reminded of some things they likely forgot, and come away with a nice overview of the history as a whole rather than episodic.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
May 12, 2021
"Breve historia del cine", de Ian Haydn Smith. Un panorama muy general de movimientos, películas, géneros y técnicas cinematográficas que abarca desde los albores del séptimo arte hasta fechas muy recientes. Breve pero sustancioso.
June 29, 2023
Двоякие впечатления о книге.
С положительной стороны - много информации, много данных над чем подумать, систематизация множества течений, направлений, приемов кинопроизводства (что для меня стало самой интересной частью книги).
С отрицательной стороны - здесь очень скудно с художественным слогом, сплошное перечисление. В заголовке "главное", однако уже в введении автор ставит себе ограничение что не более 1 фильма на 1 режиссера. А что делать если ты Хичкок или Гриффит? На каждой странице по 5-10 фильмов, которые желательно посмотреть, но если о 50 у нас есть рассказ и понимание почему это в том или ином виде стало рубежной точкой, то об остальных ничего, просто "другие фильмы режиссера" или "вот еще было в этом направлении и с этим стилем".
Итого - слишком сухо для нон-фикшн, но можно использовать как энциклопедию когда захочется расширить горизонты и посмотреть кино, которое перевернет стандартные представления.
Издание с полиграфической точки зрения великолепное, приятно держать в руках и несмотря на все но, не хочется убирать из библиотеки.
С положительной стороны - много информации, много данных над чем подумать, систематизация множества течений, направлений, приемов кинопроизводства (что для меня стало самой интересной частью книги).
С отрицательной стороны - здесь очень скудно с художественным слогом, сплошное перечисление. В заголовке "главное", однако уже в введении автор ставит себе ограничение что не более 1 фильма на 1 режиссера. А что делать если ты Хичкок или Гриффит? На каждой странице по 5-10 фильмов, которые желательно посмотреть, но если о 50 у нас есть рассказ и понимание почему это в том или ином виде стало рубежной точкой, то об остальных ничего, просто "другие фильмы режиссера" или "вот еще было в этом направлении и с этим стилем".
Итого - слишком сухо для нон-фикшн, но можно использовать как энциклопедию когда захочется расширить горизонты и посмотреть кино, которое перевернет стандартные представления.
Издание с полиграфической точки зрения великолепное, приятно держать в руках и несмотря на все но, не хочется убирать из библиотеки.
November 5, 2024
A nice little book about the history of movies.
Divided into 4 different sections. Genres where I learnt about Jidaigeki - Japanese period drama associated with the Edo period. Samurai movies are part of this more expansive genre. Key movie - Seven Samurai. Next up is Key Films from Intolerance to Roma. Missing some, but overall a good selection. After that came Movements - key takeaway was from Soviet Montage and the Kuleshov effect. When combining different images each followed by the exact same shot of a man's face audiences stated that they saw the man's face change in reaction to the previous shot, i.e. the meaning of an image could be altered when placed next to other images. Last section of the book was techniques - one of my favorites Playtime by Jacques Tati was mentioned under production design. The sets, accentuate straight lines and shades of gray, and was produced to the filmmaker's exact specification.
Movies is such a wonder and creates worlds of it's own. This little book gives a nice insight and overview for movie lovers.
Divided into 4 different sections. Genres where I learnt about Jidaigeki - Japanese period drama associated with the Edo period. Samurai movies are part of this more expansive genre. Key movie - Seven Samurai. Next up is Key Films from Intolerance to Roma. Missing some, but overall a good selection. After that came Movements - key takeaway was from Soviet Montage and the Kuleshov effect. When combining different images each followed by the exact same shot of a man's face audiences stated that they saw the man's face change in reaction to the previous shot, i.e. the meaning of an image could be altered when placed next to other images. Last section of the book was techniques - one of my favorites Playtime by Jacques Tati was mentioned under production design. The sets, accentuate straight lines and shades of gray, and was produced to the filmmaker's exact specification.
Movies is such a wonder and creates worlds of it's own. This little book gives a nice insight and overview for movie lovers.
September 12, 2025
I was waiting for security to show me my room at the place I am staying at. They took quite a while so I managed to finish this book, which isn't really saying much since it's mostly pictures and the text barely fills a paragraph every other page. This was just a summary of most of what I learned in my first class of my Film Studies course, so it doesn't really do very much. I had EIGHT essential classes for my Film Studies degree last year, and this (barely) covered one. Cmon now! "Short Story of Film" my arse. Not that I expected much from the title. It had an interesting array of genres, including Australian New Wave, which I was pleasantly surprised to see. But it only listed Picnic At Hanging Rock as the example. At least give us another example! This was nice to flick through but if anyone actually wants a 'Pocket Guide to Key Genres, Films, Techniques and Movements', do not pick something that should have been a coffee table book.
June 28, 2020
For those interested in film and do not know where to begin, Ian Hayden Smith's book is a great place to start. The book is one is a book for the casual film fan who wants to know more than which are the best films in a genre to watch or another top 100 list. Taking the four areas of genres, key films, movements, and techniques, The Short Story of Film is great to dip in and out of with enough information to want you to explore the subjects more. It is a great looking book and definitely recommended for those who want to gain further insight into the diversity of film and film studies.
This was provided by NetGalley and the book publisher for an honest review.
This was provided by NetGalley and the book publisher for an honest review.
January 29, 2023
While being eye-catching and visually appealing; the book barely lives up to its name.
It's collection of disconnected tidbits where you randomly encounter topics like "German Expressionism" with a mention of related movies and directors but without much detail about what it actually is. I think this is good reference book or index for people who know film history; but barely satisfying to amateurs.
It's collection of disconnected tidbits where you randomly encounter topics like "German Expressionism" with a mention of related movies and directors but without much detail about what it actually is. I think this is good reference book or index for people who know film history; but barely satisfying to amateurs.
February 7, 2021
I really love this book. As an aspiring filmmaker, this is a great book to have on your shelf for references and to get more insights on filmmaking. I definitely recommend! Thank you, Ian for this great book.
January 24, 2022
By the design of this book, it's rather awkward to read in just a linear direction. Nonetheless, it satisfies my cravings as a cinephile and I will definitely be going through this again and again during my free time.
May 19, 2020
Красивая, но весьма поверхностная и сухая книга, особенной пустой оказалась часть "приемы".
July 22, 2020
I wanted to get an overview of key techniques and movements thoughout film history but this book was too film-heavy and general for me.
September 3, 2021
Great reference book!
October 31, 2021
i mean it had everything it needed to have but the writing itself was repetitive and really basic, didn't really reel me in. at the same time this is not a book for like entertainment so idk
November 10, 2021
Redelijk interessant, soms lui met foutjes en verteld niet veel nieuws
April 13, 2023
Muy weno y me gusta el formato, me sirvió para un ensayo.
May 29, 2023
Una guía básica con información sobre movimientos, técnicas y estilos de película. Es un buen libro para anotar recomendaciones, pero ofrece una análisis algo superficial
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July 5, 2024Plenty of new recommendations!
February 12, 2025
czech translation = crappy, some parts were incomplete/nonsensical
October 8, 2025
3.5 - insightful to some degree but is aimed at very beginners
January 23, 2024
A very decent book from the Short Story series that covers different movements, movies, genres, and moviemaking techniques. It’s great for giving you a broad exposure to different names and topics, but more useful if used as a reference book.
April 26, 2022
Es un buen libro, que recurre a subdivisiones con listados de películas, términos y tipos de cine, ordenándolos cronológicamente para ser una suerte de historia.
Por esto, no cubre aspectos generales y se siente más como un gran glosario que una real "historia del cine".
Pero cumple con dar información valiosa, aunque se centra demasiado en las películas y poco en profundizar algunos temas sobre el mundo del séptimo arte.
Por esto, no cubre aspectos generales y se siente más como un gran glosario que una real "historia del cine".
Pero cumple con dar información valiosa, aunque se centra demasiado en las películas y poco en profundizar algunos temas sobre el mundo del séptimo arte.
April 9, 2022
"Breve historia del cine" ofrece una visión de pájaro de las películas fundamentales, géneros cinematográficos, movimientos y técnicas más importantes. Aunque puede faltarle profundidad, sí que recoge coordenadas principales e invita a ver las películas de otra forma
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews