Medieval Film

Medieval Filmexplores theoretical questions about the ideological, artistic, emotional, and financial investments inhering in cinematic renditions of the medieval period. What does it mean to create and watch a "medieval film"? What is a medieval film and why are they successful? This is the first work that attempts to answer these questions, drawing, for instance, on film theory, postcolonial theory, cultural studies, and the growing body of work on medievalism. Contributors investigate British, German, Italian, Australian, French, Swedish, and American film exploring topics such as translation, temporality, film noir, framing, and period film and find the medieval lurking in unexpected corners. In addition, it provides in-depth studies of individual films from different countries including The Birth of a Nationto Nosferatu, and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Medieval Filmwill be of interest to medievalists working in disciplines including literature, history, and art history, to scholars working on film and in cultural studies. It will also be of interest to undergraduates, postgraduates, and to an informed enthusiast in film and/or medieval culture.

Dr. Anke Bernau is Lecturer in Medieval Literature and Culture at the University of Manchester. Dr. Bettina Bildhauer is Lecturer in German at the University of St. Andrews.

"This important essay collection confirms that 'medieval film' is worthy of intense scholarly scrutiny. The introduction and nine chapters consider medieval history, literature, language, music, and culture in light of their uses on film, along with film history, and literary and film criticism. Here the visual meets the visionary and the modern, the medieval: subtitles and soundtracks are considered along with a range of visual and verbal signifiers that convey the medieval world to modern audiences." -- Martha W. Driver, Professor of English at Pace University "At once witty, innovative, and intellectually satisfying, this rich study offers nine interdisciplinary, theoretical, well-wrought essays on films dealing with issues of historicity; film theory and criticism; and related literature, language, and music." --CHOICE