History on Film/Film on History

History on Film/Film on History has established itself as a classic treatise on the historical film and its role in bringing the past to life. In this widely acclaimed fourth edition, Robert A. Rosenstone argues that to leave history films out of the discussion of the meaning of the past is to ignore a major means of understanding historical events.

This book examines what history films convey about the past and how they convey it, demonstrating the need to learn how to read and understand this new visual world. It integrates detailed analysis of films such as Schindler's List, Glory, October, and Reds, and advocates for the dramatic feature as a legitimate way of doing history. This edition includes a new Preface and a new chapter focusing on films produced in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, India, and East Asia.

By examining the codes and conventions of how these films tell us about the past and providing guidance on how to effectively analyze films as historical interpretations, History on Film/Film on History is an essential introduction to the field for students of history and film.