History on Film/Film on History

This insightful examination of historical films highlights their significance in understanding the past. History on Film/Film on History is a crucial resource for students.

In the fourth edition of this widely acclaimed text, Robert A. Rosenstone argues that to leave history films out of the discussion of the meaning of the past is to ignore a major means of understanding historical events. History on Film/Film on History has established itself as a classic treatise on the historical film and its role in bringing the past to life. This edition emphasizes the importance of visual storytelling in shaping our understanding of history.

This book examines what history films convey about the past and how they convey it, demonstrating the need to learn how to read and understand this new visual world. It integrates detailed analysis of films such as Schindler’s List, Glory, October, and Reds, advocating for the dramatic feature as a legitimate way of doing history. The fourth edition includes a new Preface and a new chapter that focuses on films produced in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, India, and East Asia, expanding the scope of historical representation.

By examining the codes and conventions of how these films tell us about the past, History on Film/Film on History provides guidance on how to effectively analyze films as historical interpretations. This book is an essential introduction to the field for students of history and film, encouraging a deeper understanding of the interplay between cinema and historical narrative.