Film and History

Film is the pre-eminent mass medium of the modern age. It is a valuable source of evidence for the study of both the past and the contemporary world, and is a social practice that has affected the lives of millions. How can historians engage with this important and influential medium?

Written for both students and teachers, Film and History:

- provides a concise, accessible introduction to the use of film in historical enquiry and a summary of the main theoretical debates
- Charts the development of film history as a subject area and a discipline in its own right
- Considers different approaches to film history, including film as an art form, as ideology, as a historical source, and as a social practice
- Includes case studies to ground discussion of theories and approaches in specific examples

Wide-ranging and authoritative, Film and History equips students with the methods both to analyse film texts and to understand the place of film in history and culture.


About the Author

James Chapman is Professor of Film Studies at the University of Leicester, UK. He is the author of a number of books on film and cultural history and is editor of the Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television.
James Chapman is Professor of Film Studies at the University of Leicester, UK. He is the author of a number of books on film and cultural history and is editor of the Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television.