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Crime Films Paperback – 15 August 2002
by
Thomas Leitch
(Author)
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This book surveys the entire range of crime films, including important subgenres such as the gangster film, the private eye film, film noir, as well as the victim film, the erotic thriller, and the crime comedy. Focusing on ten films that span the range of the twentieth century, Thomas Leitch traces the transformation of the three leading figures that are common to all crime films: the criminal, the victim and the avenger. Analyzing how each of the subgenres establishes oppositions among its ritual antagonists, he shows how the distinctions among them become blurred throughout the course of the century. This blurring, Leitch maintains, reflects and fosters a deep social ambivalence towards crime and criminals, while the criminal, victim and avenger characters effectively map the shifting relations between subgenres, such as the erotic thriller and the police film, within the larger genre of crime film that informs them all.
- ISBN-100521646715
- ISBN-13978-0521646710
- Edition1st
- PublisherCambridge University Press
- Publication date15 August 2002
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions15.24 x 2.54 x 22.86 cm
- Print length400 pages
Product description
Review
"Leitch makes his case, and provides a structure through which any crime film--and, really, any film with a criminal, victim, and avenger--can be studied. Such a structure is never more valuable than now." Erik Lundegaard, Film Quarterly
"No film critic writes more clearly, in a style unencumbered by jargon. Even the photo captions are unusually perceptive and amusing. Highly recommended." Choice
"No film critic writes more clearly, in a style unencumbered by jargon. Even the photo captions are unusually perceptive and amusing. Highly recommended." Choice
Book Description
Leitch traces crime film throughout the century, reflecting a growing ambivalence towards crime and criminals.
Product details
- Publisher : Cambridge University Press; 1st edition (15 August 2002)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 400 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0521646715
- ISBN-13 : 978-0521646710
- Dimensions : 15.24 x 2.54 x 22.86 cm
- Customer Reviews:
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3.6 out of 5 stars
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5 global ratings
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Matt Harden
1.0 out of 5 stars
This book is HARD to follow.
Reviewed in the United States on 26 September 2016Verified Purchase
This is a horrible book. I'm using it for a current college course, and I totally despise it. Some if it is because I hate to read, but the main reason I hate it is because it was written for someone at a scholar level in this particular subject. However, this is for an introductory course. I'm sure someone who is into crime films would really like it, but it's just not for me. Maybe I should be giving this review to the professor who assigned it. In terms of quality and shipping, Amazon lived up to its name....as always.