The Routledge Companion to Religion and Film

Routledge Companions

by John C. Lyden (Editor)

The Routledge Companion to Religion and Film brings together a lively and experienced team of contributors to introduce students to the key topics in religion and film and to investigate the ways in which the exciting subject of religion and film is developing for more experienced scholars. Divided into four parts, the Companion:



analyzes the history of the interaction of religion and film, through periods of censorship as well as appreciation of the medium studies religion-in-film, examining how the world's major religions, as well as Postcolonial, Japanese and New Religions, are depicted by and within films uses diverse methodologies to explore religion and film, such as psychoanalytical, theological and feminist approaches, and audience reception analyzes religious themes in film, including Redemption, the Demonic, Jesus or Christ Figures, Heroes and Superheroes considers films as diverse as The Passion of the Christ, The Matrix, Star Wars and Groundhog Day. This definitive book provides an accessible resource to this emerging field and is an indispensable guide to religion and film for students of Religion, Film Studies, and beyond.

Genres: Film

522 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the chapters in this volume are utterly invaluable, and others feel largely like retreads of topics that I thought have been better covered elsewhere. There were also a number of segments where the chapter's title/topic seemed to indicate that it would be one thing and it was...actually something else entirely. This is the nature of edited volumes like this, especially large, ostensibly comprehensive volumes such as this one, so I can't be too mad.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of essays not only on major religions, but religious issues including sacrifice, horror and the demonic, heroes, and feminism. The essays are uneven in quality, but overall it is a worthwhile companion to classes examining religion in film.