History on Film

Use the following questions to guide your blog post. Pick a few to discuss: What is the perspective of Frankenheimer on the anti-Communist attitudes prevalent at the time? Does Frankenheimer represent the anti-Communist characters in a favorable way? Is the film misogynistic? Consider the character of Shaw's mother (Angela Landsbury). Can you think of any parallels in reality near the level of this conspiracy? Do you see any similarities between the anti-Communist fervor of the 1950’s and anti-terrorism of today? 

As we discussed at length,  Jud Suess  is infamous for how effective it was in promoting anti-Semitism. Consider these questions for your blog post: 1. Aside from Oppenheimer, who are the other Jewish characters in the film and what are they supposed to represent (from the Nazi perspective)? 2. How does the film implicate Germans?  Oppenheimer may be evil, but Harlan implies Germans are also to blame. Why do you think Harlan does this? 3. "Race defilement" is obviously a preoccupation in Nazi propaganda.  Compare this film with Birth of a Nation. How do the stories relate? Diverge? 4. Why use a historic setting rather than a contemporary one to promote an anti-Semitic message?

Casablanca (1942) is on every serious critic's top 25 list, and usually near the top.  It is stacked with star power and crisply written and directed. For all its commercial appeal, the film is rich in political commentary. Questions to consider How does the film capture the plight of the exile?  Use specific characters as examples. The music from Casablanca is fondly remembered and replicated in any number of films.  How does it influence the story? Explain the symbolism. Describe the relationship between Rick and Captain Renault. How are they alike? Dissimilar? Do both characters evolve during the course of the film? How are the Germans (Nazis) portrayed? While ostensibly a classic love story, Casablanca couches this romantic dimension in the larger issue of what it means to be neutral, to sit on the sidelines.  This matters in love and war.  How does the film demonstrate the impossibility of neutrality in the all-consuming Second World War...

Fritz Lang's  M  cemented his reputation as a masterful director in the world of sound coming soon after his brilliant silent films like  Metropolis  (1927) and  Nibelungen  (1924). I think you will recognize most crime drama elements we take for granted in  M , from the police procedural to the mourning family members.   M  is an original film noir production, tapping into the angst of the urban environment, the depression, and maybe even looking ahead to the Nazi era. Use these prompts to help inform your blog posts: How does  M  reflect the expressionist movement arising in post-war Germany? How does Fritz Lang use sound outside of dialogue? Be sure to comment on music. The city is as much a character in film noir and expressionist cinema as anybody else.  What role does the city play in the story?  Lang considered  M  an indictment of all humanity, not just the murderers.  W...