Film and the Anarchist Imagination

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Summary: first full-length study of film and anarchism
Review: Film and the Anarchist Imagination is the first full-length study in English of the relationship of film and anarchism. The book begins with a survey of anarchist stereotypes from D.W. Griffith to Hal Hartley, but does not confine itself to critiquing "negative images." The subsequent chapters deal with the intersection of film and important currents within anarchist theory and practiceÐe.g.anti-authoritarian pedagogy and the "revolt against workÐ and also examines cinematic portraits of major anti-authoritarian figures such as Joe Hill and Sacco and Vanzetti, as well as films spawned by the Spanish Civil War (or what anarchists refer to as the Spanish Revolution) of the 1930s. The book concludes with a consideration of affinities between cinema and what is termed "the elusive anarchist aesthetic." The work of major directors such as Ken Loach, Jean Vigo, Jean-Luc Godard, Elio Petri, Lina Wertmuller is discussed

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Summary: An important contribution to film history
Review: Richard Porton has succeeded in doing what few other authors have done in the past. He has written an accessible, clearminded assessment of anarchist philosophy and its effect on film, both in the medium's historical and contemporary manifestations. The range of his discussion includes the depiction of anarchists in film, the use of cinematic techniques to exemplify anarchist ideas, the history of anarchist movements and their effect on cinema, and the problems attending any consideration of anarchism within the medium of film. Without any blatant prosyletizing, Porton makes a case for the validity of anarchist philosophies and knowledgably leads the reader through all the ideas, arguments, prejudices, and mistaken assumptions that have surrounded anarchism since its inception in the 19th century. He accurately portrays the diversity of anarchist thought from libertarianism to anarcho-communism to punk mayhem, while securely linking that diversity to a wealth of 20th-century films. His book is a must-read for everyone who has any interest in anarchist ideologies, film history and criticism, and cultural studies.

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Summary: An excellent overview of anarchism in the cinema
Review: Richard Porton has succeeded in doing what few other authors have done in the past. He has written an accessible, clearminded assessment of anarchist philosophy and its effect on film, both in the medium's historical and contemporary manifestations. The range of his discussion includes the depiction of anarchists in film, the use of cinematic techniques to exemplify anarchist ideas, the history of anarchist movements and their effect on cinema, and the problems attending any consideration of anarchism within the medium of film. Without any blatant prosyletizing, Porton makes a case for the validity of anarchist philosophies and knowledgably leads the reader through all the ideas, arguments, prejudices, and mistaken assumptions that have surrounded anarchism since its inception in the 19th century. He accurately portrays the diversity of anarchist thought from libertarianism to anarcho-communism to punk mayhem, while securely linking that diversity to a wealth of 20th-century films. His book is a must-read for everyone who has any interest in anarchist ideologies, film history and criticism, and cultural studies.

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Summary: An important contribution to film history
Review: This book provides a very good overview of its' subject, covering both anarchist and anarchist-associated filmmakers (like Bunuel and Vigo) as well as films that deal with anarchism, like Wertmuller's Love and Anarchy. The book is scholarly, so people looking for an easy read should look elsewhere. But I believe that it will come to be seen as the definitive work on this topic for a long time to come.

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Summary: Unreadable intellectual garbarge
Review: Try picking any page in this book and reading it straight through. You won't be able to. The intellectual gobbledy-gook is as thick and impenetrable as a briar patch. Portman also mentions way too many movies in passing with absolutely no connection to anything. He just seems to be name-dropping. Not only that but he leaves out major anarchist-related movies, such as "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" written by the anarchist writer B. Traven. Avoid at all costs unless you like reading college theses.