Title
The Bible on silent film : spectacle, story and scripture in the early cinema / David J. Shepherd.
ISBN
9781107042605
9781107504004 (electronic book)
Published
New York : Cambridge University Press, 2013.
Language
English
Description
1 online resource (334 pages) : illustrations
Call Number
PN1995.9.B53 S54 2013
Dewey Decimal Classification
791.43/682
Summary
"Between the advent of motion pictures in the 1890s and the close of the 'silent' era at the end of the 1920s, many of the longest, most expensive and most watched films on both sides of the Atlantic drew upon biblical traditions. David J. Shepherd traces the evolution of the biblical film through the silent era, asking why the Bible attracted early film makers, how biblical films were indebted to other interpretive traditions, and how these films were received. Drawing upon rarely seen archival footage and early landmark films of directors such as Louis Feuillade, D. W. Griffith, Michael Curtis and Cecil B. DeMille, this history treats well-known biblical subjects including Joseph, Moses, David and Jesus, along with lesser-known biblical stars such as Jael, Judith and Jephthah's daughter. This book will be of great interest to students of Biblical studies, Jewish studies and film studies"-- Provided by publisher.
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
Access Note
Access limited to authorized users.
Source of Description
Description based on print version record.
Machine generated contents note: Preface; 1. 'Like one of the prophets of old': passions and cameos; 2. 'See this great sight': spectacle and miracle; 3. 'That my wonders may be multiplied': Blackton and elaboration; 4. 'How are the mighty fallen': Feuillade and tragedy; 5. 'All the country wept aloud': Andre;ani and melodrama; 6. 'The top of it reached to heaven' - Griffith, analogy and scale; 7. 'She came close to his bed' - vamps and other leading ladies; 8. 'But Pharaoh hardened his heart': Exodus and Egypt; 9. 'The end of these wonders?': The triumph of spectacle; Afterword.
