Synopses & Reviews
The Hollywood War Film is an accessible introduction to the theory, history, stars, and major films constituting this vital genre. From untested young recruits and battle-hardened warriors to ferocious drill instructors and stereotypical enemies, this volume offers readers lively entry into the major conventions of the war film genre from Hollywood's earliest days to the current moment.
Combining broad historical and theoretical coverage of the genre with in-depth analysis of specific films, The Hollywood War Film includes discussions of conflicts in the Civil War, First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, Vietnam, and Iraq: Glory, All Quiet on the Western Front, Flags of our Fathers, Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, Courage under Fire, Jarhead, and The Manchurian Candidate, among others.
Review
"Free of theoretical jargon and labyrinthine argumentation, with long-winded yet stimulating plot summaries, The Hollywood War Film is first and foremost recommended to students of film and cinema buffs who are getting acquainted with critical perspectives on the genre." (Hollywood Enlisted, 2010)
Review
“This is a genuinely remarkable achievement. Bradford has assembled an all-star cast of scholars who thoughtfully survey the historical literature on virtually every aspect of the American military experience. Here is an essential starting point for every serious student of American military and naval history.”
Craig L. Symonds, Professor Emeritus, U.S. Naval Academy, author of Lincoln and His Admirals and Decision at Sea: Five Naval Battles that Shaped American History
“Well-conceived, comprehensive and thorough, this volume is important not only for those working on American history but also for military historians as a whole. The central role of conflict in American history emerges clearly.”
Jeremy Black, University of Exeter, author of Crisis of Empire: Britain and America in the Eighteenth Century and editor of Great Military Leaders and their Campaigns
“A truly masterful assemblage of essays prepared by a star-studded cast of military historians. Beautifully written, comprehensive in scope. Highly recommended to any and all persons seeking to understand the triumphs and pitfalls of American military history.”
James Kirby Martin, Distinguished University Professor of History, University of Houston, editor of Ordinary Courage: The Revolutionary War Adventures of Joseph Plumb Martin, third edition, and coauthor of Forgotten Allies: The Oneida Indians and the American Revolution
“Comprehensively conceived, brilliantly executed, this compendium of scholarship on the American military experience is a tour de force that belongs in every private and public collection on the subject.”
Dennis Showalter, Colorado College, author of Hitler's Panzers: The Lightning Attacks that Revolutionized Warfare and Patton and Rommel: Men of War in the Twentieth Century
Synopsis
The Hollywood War Film offers readers a lively introduction to the theory, history, stars, and major films constituting this vital genre, from Hollywood's earliest days to the current moment
- Combines broad historical and theoretical coverage of the genre with in-depth analysis of specific films
- Includes chapters on All Quiet on the Western Front, World War II combat films, Platoon and Full Metal Jacket, Eastwood’s Iwo Jima films, and Iraq war films
- An ideal text for perennially popular courses on the war film genre
About the Author
Robert Eberwein is Distinguished Professor of English at Oakland University. His publications include Armed Forces: Masculinity and Sexuality in the American War Film (2007), The War Film (2004).
Table of Contents
List of Plates.
Acknowledgments.
Introduction.
1. Historical Overview.
2. Critical Issues.
3. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930).
4. Destination Tokyo (1943) and Retaliation Films.
5. Platoon (1986) and Full Metal Jacket (1987).
6. Glory (1989).
7. The Iraq Wars on Film.
8. Iwo Jima.
Notes.
Index.