Reviews
Of the scholars and critics writing about German film in this country, Eric Rentschler is undoubtedly the most knowledgeable. His command of individual filmmakers' oeuvres from the unjustly forgotten and overlooked to the internationally recognized and celebrated auteurs, and of historical periods from the silents to the evolving present is as impressive as his ability to "drill down" analytically and to uncover significant details, motifs, or patterns. Throughout, the book carefully historicizes its materials, finding and excellent balance between history, theory, and close analysis across the broad range of films, Written in highly readable, elegant prose, Rentschler's volume is an authoritative study of the history of German film from the 1920s to the present by one of the foremost scholars in the field. This is the work of an expert at the peak of his craft., The Use and Abuse of Cinema showcases the scope of Rentschler's work and provides a tantalizing introduction to his sensitive, far-reaching approach to film history.... More broadly, the book argues for the importance of Germany as a case study for the ability of film as a medium to reflect, influence, and even shape the course of history., Each chapter, whether it takes on a theoretical question, a "school" or movement, or a film or group of films, provides a model of how to produce an essay that is historically grounded, rich in erudition, and intellectually productive., Written in highly readable, elegant prose, Rentschler's volume is an authoritative study of the history of German film from the 1920s to the present day by one of the foremost scholars in the field. This is the work of an expert at the peak of his craft., [ The Use and Abuse of Cinema ] offers inspired juxtapositions and an authoritative range of knowledge, and is also a very good read., Rentschler's command of individual filmmakers' oeuvres, from the unjustly forgotten and overlooked to the internationally recognized and celebrated auteurs, and of historical periods from the silents to the evolving present is as impressive as his ability to 'drill down' analytically and uncover significant details, motifs, or patterns. Throughout this book, he carefully historicizes its materials, finding an excellent balance between history, theory, and close analysis across a broad range of films.
