In the 20th century, films slowly progressed from silent films to full color box office hits. This a project exploring the progression of films and what they expressed. Join me as we mov(i)e through the century!
Origin: This film, according to IMDb, was released in 1999, and directed by the Wachowski Brothers. Keanau Reeves plays Neo, a computer hacker who gets pulled into an adventure of escaping his life in a simulation known as the matrix. During this time period, there were many popular movies that were science fiction, and this film is part of this era.
Purpose: This film is an action packed film that was popular in the 1990's and is still popular today. It warns about the usage of advancing technology while providing an interesting plot. This film used a lot of new technology and special effects. The evolution of CGI was crucial to this film and many of the scenes use it to enhance the image. Bullet time, a now popular technique used, was a huge part of this film and its famous bullet dodging scene that involves several cameras and complicated movement.
Value: This film gives insight to the era of technological advancement in the time period. It also gives insight to political issues like power plays and fights to gain control, which echo the collapse of the Soviet Union earlier in the decade.. Also the different stories told by the characters mirror propaganda and stories told by the government.
Limitations: This film tells a lot about technology and politics of the time period, however, social and racial issues during the time period, like gender inequality, drug usage issues, and racial problems. It also fails to mention world politics during the time such as the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Fun fact: In the film, all the scenes generated by the matrix are tinted green in order to show that they are not real .
Origin: This film was released in 1986 and directed by John Hughes, according to Letterboxd. It stars Matthew Broderick as a high school student who skips school with his best friend and girlfriend and instead explores the city, while avoiding being caught by his parents, sister, and principal. It is one of many popular teenage films of the time period.
Purpose: The film is showing American life style and is from the perspective of the average American. It was made to entertain a large group, so it shows average people in order to make it relateable. It is part of the pop culture of the time period started by the baby boomers.
Value: This film shows the average American life style in the time period to be one of indulgence. The 80's are know as the "decade that created us" according to National Geographic. The average life portrayed here gives insight to the American consumerist society of the 1980's. It also shows the influence of the baby boomer culture.
Limitations: This film doesn't really mention political events that were going on during the time period. No part of the Cold War, a major event, is shown. It also doesn't talk about social and political issues from the United States itself. It is mostly a comedic film that is meant to entertain and show the average lifestyle.
Origin: This first film in the famous set of movies was released in 1977, and according to IMDb, it was written and directed by George Lucas. It stars (no pun intended) Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, and follows his story of attempting to rescue a Rebel Leader, Princess Leia from the Empire.
Purpose: This film was created primarily to entertain. Unlike many popular films, it was not based off a novel, but a novel, The Adventures of Luke Skywalker was published about 6 months before the release of the film. This film had several new special effects, and required a whole new team to be set up for in order to create these ground breaking sci-fi effects. The director didn't follow the traditional sci-fi perspective, and instead created a future world that had been "used up" according starwars.com. This broke the template for many previous norms of sci-fi films.
Value: This film gives us insight to what was happening in the time period. The Cold War was still going on in the 70's, as was the Space Race. The film, with lots of science and astronomy, relates to the attention surrounding the Space Race. In fact according to thecoldwar.org, the Space Defense Initiative was dubbed Star Wars, which shows the effect this film had on the space race.
Limitations: This film doesn't really accurately describe any conflict or race between the USSR and the USA. It's helpful by showing the mentality surrounding the time period, but gives no insight to how the real life conflict occurred.
Side Note: Interested in more about the space race? Well, check out this other project that I have done for this class!
Origin: This movie was released in 1964 by Walt Disney, and directed by Robert Stevenson. Julie Andrews plays Marry Poppins. It tells about a nanny who is hired to work for some impossible children in an upper class home. Magic is what sets her apart, along with her creativity and imagination. At this point in film making, sounds and color have been established strongly. A new technique used here is the cross between real action with real actors and cartoon in the same frame
Purpose: Mary Poppins is based on the series by P.L. Travers. However, like most Disney movies, it is watered down to make it somewhat less morbid. It was meant to be an adaptation of the books, but at the same time give insight to life in the time period.
Value: This film is a gold mine of social and historical issues from the 60's! First, social class is an overarching theme in the film, According to Nina Ponier, comparing the rich Banks family to other less wealthy characters in the film to show division of class during the time period. Also, the film touches on family affairs, as at the beginning, Mr. Banks (the children's father) has a bad relationship with his family and wife. Mary Poppins points it out and seeks to mend it. Gender roles are also prevalent in the movie, with the father working and the son managing the money and the daughter in pink, which gives insight to the gender roles that were still very strict in the 60's (references to the feminist movement are made).
Limitations: The movie fails to tell us about more political problems that occurred during this time period, like the ongoing cold war. It also doesn't talk about the rise of feminism and other movements. It also doesn't talk about the changing of family structure that psychologist Molly Castelloe says started in the 60's and continues today.
Fun fact: Some speculate that this entire movie is about the rise of the popularity of drugs, with the songs "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down" and "Let's go fly a kite" being about drug usage. This could be part of the values section, but Disney, whi made films for kids had no intention of drug refernce. That's why it's just speculation!
Origin: This film was released in 1952, and IMDb reports that it was directed by Alfred E. Green. It stars Gerald Mohr, Peggy Castle, and Dan O'Herlihy. It tells the story of a Soviet invasion of the United States and shows the struggle of the characters. This film is still in black and white, but contains sound and dialogue. It was during this decade that color was being tested and introduced, but it was costly, and black and white films worked just fine.
Purpose: The film was released during the Cold War, where rising tension and fear of invasion were common between the US and the USSR. During this time, a lot of anti-soviet and anti-communist film was being released, which made this film one of many Hollywood cold war films. The film portrays people in a bar who end up being hypnotized to believe that the Soviets have invaded the US, and shows their struggle and misery because of it. At the end of the film, the characters wake up and thy hypnotist tells them that this s what will happen if there isn't action taken against them.
Value: This film talks a lot about the Cold War. The enemy is really unnamed in the film but is clearly the Soviet union. The film shows the feeling of fear during the war and the protest against invasion. It hints at the encouragement of the US that Hollywood produces anti soviet propaganda films. People turn their factories into places that produce tanks, and other things that help the US effort, in order to show what citizens should be doing to help. It also touches on the fear of nuclear war, with many references to nuclear weapons made in the film.
Limitations: This movie doesn't talk a lot about many aspects of the Cold War, such as the space race. It also doesn't discuss fear of espionage, and the battle between the US and the USSR of gaining countries to either side (where the concept of third-world countries appeared). It also doesn't talk about other countries participation, along with pre existing conditions that lead up to the war.
(Unless you like French subtitles, then don't ignore them)
Origin: This is a film set in world war two. It was released in
1949. According to rottentomatoes, a movie review site, it was directed by
Howard Hawks. Cary Grant and Ann Sheridan play the main characters. The movie
follows the interactions between American Lieutenant Catherine Gates and
Belgian Captain Henri Rochard who at first hate each other, then fall in love.
The story follows their journey to live peacefully, then finally attempt to use
the War Bride Act. However, there is a mix up, and Henri has to be the war
bride. The plot is set in Germany, immediately after World War II. Purpose: The movie is loosely based on the book I Was an Alien Spouse of Female Military Personnel Enroute to the United States Under Public Law 271 of the Congress. The novel is a biography of a belgian, Captain Henri Rochard, who married an American nurse. It was made to add humor to the experience, and to show the audience the struggle experienced by the couple. It's also poking fun at the strict (and somewhat ridiculous) regulations of the U.S. Army, such as Henri's war bride status restricting him from driving a motor cycle.
check out that hair
Value: This film highlights many topics that were prevalent during the time period. First, it portrays women as part of the war, which was empowering to women by showing it as a norm. Also, it shows many important cultural norms during world war two. It also discusses the condition of female war brides, as when Captain Henri dresses up as a female war bride, he has to live in the same conditions as the other many war brides. it also shines light on gender roles, and portrays the confusion at swapped genders. Additionally, it gives insight to some policies that were used during the war, such as the War Bride Act.
The method of shooting using natural light, among other techniques shows the realist movement that was starting to spread through films. Limitations: The film doesn't really talk about the state of the world post-war, and only highlights a few countries, whose states aren't really shown. Also, it doesn't talk about many concerns that were present after world war II, and fails to go more in depth about the cultural norms of many people groups in the US and out of it. Also, it doesn't talk about the damage done during the war, or about changed policies and post war reconstruction.
Origin: This was a film released in 1934. According to the Internet Movie Database, it was directed and written by King Vidor. The film is filmed and set during the Great Depression It tells the story of a couple who are from the city who move to the farm, and discusses their transition into farm life. The couple sets up a communal farm group with other farmers, where food and money are shared. this film is a "talkie"meaning it uses dialogue in the plotline.
Purpose: the film is meant to show the struggle of people during the Depression. In addition to providing some comic relief to the Depression, it also provides insight to the communal farms that may have been organized. Also it was a very popular film, with a great plot and actors. This is because during the Depression, movie theater attendance decreased dramatically. So a good film was needed to attract people who viewed it more worthwhile to spend their limited income.
Value: The film really shows the struggle of the time period. It highlights the economic distress of the protagonists and other characters, and shows how people were forced to try to make income off of farming. It also implies some socialist ideals, through the communal farm society. It also shows how the depression affected everyone, from directors to the homeless, showing unity in the nation. Also, a few of the characters (and he actors who play them ) have progressive ideas, which shows the balance between views at the time.
Limitations: The film doesn't highlight the issues leading to the depression, such as the stock market crash, and president Hoovers unwillingness to help. It also doesn't tell about the economic struggle of those in other professions. Additionally, it doesn't show the negative views towards communism. According to John Greco, a film analyst, many reactions to the film called it and its director "pinko" meaning that they felt that it supported communist ideals in a negative way.
Overall, this film was a great depiction of its time period. It discussed the struggle during the depression and showed how people tried to deal with it. It is viewed so highly that according to turner Classic Movies, it received an honorary Oscar in 1979.
Origin: This is a film telling the story of a young Jewish boy who dreams of becoming a jazz musician. It was released in 1927, and directed by Alan Crosland (IMDb). It is based off of a play and novel called "The Day of Atonement". This film is one of the first to not be a completely silent film. It involves synchronized voice recordings.
Purpose: This movie was telling a story of family estrangement and Broadway musicals. It highlights a struggle of a young Jewish boy who runs away from his family to become a famous Jazz musician. The family ties are tested when the father (who drove him away) asks him to return and sing at Yom Kippur (a Jewish holiday) on the same night of the opening musical.
Value: According to filmsite, This movie is among the first Hollywood talkies, or movies with dialogue. It tells about the rapid technological advances occurring during this time period. Also, the movie is filmed and set in the roaring Twenties , a time after world war one where consumerism and party life style were extremely promoted. This is touched on in the film. Also, the protagonist stars as a man in blackface paint in the musical he is in, which shows the lingering racist ideas in the entertainment industry. Additionally, the main character and his family being Jewish and how the director portrays them shows the view of Jews in the time period. It also tells about the popularity of jazz, which had grown during the speakeasies invoked by Prohibition.
Limitations: The film doesn't really show the issue of immigration and anti-semitism as much as it could. It also doesn't touch on the war or the Lost generation, which were both huge contributing factors to the problems in the time period.
Sources:
http://www.pictureshowman.com/timeline_1920_1929.cfm#1920top
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0018037/combined
http://www.filmsite.org/jazz.html
http://history1900s.about.com/od/1920s/a/jazzsinger.htm
http://black-face.com/
Origin: This film was released in 1918 and was directed by Scott Sidney (IMDb). It was based off an original novel, Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Since sound technology was not too advanced, this is a silent film. The movie explores the story of an orphaned Tarzan growing up and becoming king of the jungle. It changes the novel slightly in order to make Tarzan a bit more civilized and educated. According to s tor.com article by Kage Baker, the repetition of the plot (repeated mutinies and killing of ship captains) was also cut in order to make the story more exciting. However this version is known as the film with the closest adaptation of the novel's story line.
(Unlike Disney with this guy)
Purpose: The purpose of this movie was primarily to entertain the audience, but also like many other movies of its time, it retold a story. Along with Tarzan of the Apes, many other films were based on previously written novels in this time period, such as Alice in Wonderland in 1915. Also, this film is the part of many "Jungle" films that were popular during the time period. they included action, adventure, romance, and violence. What more could an audience want?
Value: Although it may not seem obvious, this film tells us a lot about the time period. First, it tells a lot about racial views. Tarzan is European, making him white. The native village tribes are African, or black. They are shown as uncivilized savages who killed Kala, his "ape mother". Tarzan gets very angry with them and starts to hurt them, and the tribes people give him offerings in order to "placate the white demon of the woods" (Kage Baker). The natives (black people) were portrayed as inferior to and weaker than white people. This plays into the issues of the time period, where racism and the KKK were a huge problem. Also, according to an article titled "Tarzans Through Time" by Beth Rowen, the actor for Tarzan, Elmo Lincoln (Not Elmo from Sesame Street) killed a real lion as part of the filming. This shows that animal rights were not considered a big deal. In fact, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (peta) the animal rights movement didn't start till the late 1900's. Another issue of the time period is shown through Jane being the damsel in distress. She is portrayed as unable to help herself, which was part of the mindset of that time period.
Limitations: Although it touches on the subjects, this film doesn't tell us about many of the issues of the Progressive Era. It doesn't tell us about the fight for feminism, or the fight for equal rights for immigrants and African Americans. It also doesn't tell us about other problems of the time, like Prohibition. additionally, it doesn't tell us about other types of films and camera techniques that were common in the time period.
Origin: This soundless film, The Great Train Robbery (directed by Edwin S. Porter), was released in 1903. It tells a story of, well, a great train robbery. Pity we couldn't hear what was happening. All jokes aside, this silent film is an innovative classic from this time period. It incorporates many new filming techniques that we are now familiar with but were back then amazing new innovation. For example, the film used dummies in the more violent fight scenes, something not used before. Also, according to Jennifer Rosenberg, the film was among the first to use a technique called crosscutting. Crosscutting is when the movie goes between two different scenes that were happening simultaneously. Another experiment with the camera is that instead of avoiding the constant stable picture, the director had the camera pan occasionally in order to follow the riders shown at one point of the movie, deviating from the standard of just holding it in one place. Additionally, instead of using just one set, the crew traveled to as many as ten different sets during filming.
Purpose: What was new about this type of movie was that it was a narrative style film, telling more of a story than other movies with a beginning, middle, and end. The Internet Movie Database says that the movie was also meant to be an exciting action movie, the first of its kind. Although you may think it was boring, for the time period, this was one of those edge-of-your-seat movies that one couldn't look away from. This movie was meant to be a thriller. For example, the last scene, in which the man fires point blank at the audience (you), is supposed to be new and exciting, and scare the audience.
Value: This film tells us about the new styles of film used in this time period. It also shows that film was becoming a more and more popular way of expressing stories. People were taking more risks in cinematography in order to entertain their audience. As the film industry grew, as did the variety of movies. The movie can also be telling the story of the many train robberies that occurred in the US during and before that time, such as the Canyon Diablo and the Fairbank, train robberies that happened in Arizona in 1889 and 1900, respectively. The June 1999 edition of Wild West magazine summarizes an 1889 robbery known as the Wilcox train robbery which shares similarities with the film. This movie could also be an attempt to highlight the problems during this time period. The film was made in the progressive era, and Drew Todd, a film historian reports that during this time, many silent films were an attempt to highlight the increased problems in the time, such as crime. There was also concern about cities filling rapidly with immigrants and the poor, some of which who formed criminal gangs, which could also be highlighted in the movie.
Limitations: This movie does not tell us much about other styles of film that were around at the time, such as the fantasy film La Voyage dans la Lune, a famous film that talks about a trip to the moon (for those of you who don't speak French), with a lot of fantasy type events involved.
A famous scene from La Voyage dans la Lune where a rocket lands on the moon's eye. ouch. (image from wikipedia)
It also doesn't discuss views on other events of the time (progressive era), such as American immigration.
Overall, this is a new film with new ideas for the time period. It was one of the first nickelodeons (movies with a nickel admission, not the kids channel on TV), It also set a precedent for new movies of all genres, but especially action.
Hello!
This is a semester long project in which I will be analyzing movies and their development over the course of the 20th century. For each decade, I will choose a film and analyse it for the following (a basic version)
Origin-how it originated, built upon from the past, the background and context
Purpose-what was new and changing in this time, how was it indicative of the mainstream of this time, why the piece was created, etc.
Value- why the piece is an expression of the time period, why it is a good expression of the time period
Limitations-what it doesn't tell about the time period
