Amazon Prime Free Trial
FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button and confirm your Prime free trial.
Amazon Prime members enjoy:- Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
- Unlimited FREE Prime delivery
- Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
- A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
- Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
Important: Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.
-58% $23.12$23.12
Ships from: Amazon Sold by: LA Bookshelf
$10.95$10.95
Ships from: Amazon Sold by: EnlightenQuest
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Follow the author
OK
America on Film: Representing Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality at the Movies, Second Edition 2nd Edition
There is a newer edition of this item:
Purchase options and add-ons
- Provides a comprehensive overview of the industrial, socio-cultural, and aesthetic factors that contribute to cinematic representations of race, class, gender, and sexuality
- Includes over 100 illustrations, glossary of key terms, questions for discussion, and lists for further reading/viewing
- Includes new case studies of a number of films, including Crash, Brokeback Mountain, and Quinceañera
- ISBN-109781405170550
- ISBN-13978-1405170550
- Edition2nd
- PublisherBlackwell Pub
- Publication dateJanuary 1, 2009
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions7.5 x 1 x 9.75 inches
- Print length453 pages
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more
Frequently bought together
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Editorial Reviews
Review
"America on Film is a different kind of film studies textbook. It's an invaluable resource for classes examining the politics of Hollywood." Ted Friedman, Associate Professor of Moving Image Studies, Georgia State University
“The authors do a remarkable job at presenting contexts for identifying and tracking the historical constructions of race, gender, class and sexuality … They successfully present a rich history, with references to hundreds of films.” Scope Journal
"America on Film provides a clear and expansive examination of the complexities of representation and identity in American cinema. I currently use Benshoff and Griffin's book in my introductory film class on multiculturalism, and I look forward to using this new edition." Vicki Callahan , University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
"In this era of diversity, American on Film is a great resource that clarifies critical concepts of inequality and illustrates how film representations can frame groups thus providing tools for thinking critically about the media we consume." Elizabeth Higginbotham, University of Delaware
"America on Film does what no other film textbook does: it takes its investigation of film beyond a study of form, production and exhibition, exposing how film functions as a powerful cultural agent for shaping American perceptions of race, gender, class and ability." Alison Landsberg, George Mason University
From the Back Cover
"America on Film is different kind of film studies textbook. It's an invaluable resource for classes examining the politics of Hollywood."
Ted Friedman, Georgia State University
"The authors do a remarkable job at presenting contexts for identifying and tracking the historical constructions of race, gender, class, and sexuality &; They successfully present a rich history, with references to hundreds of films."
Scope Journal
"America on Film provides a clear and expansive examination of the complexities of representation and identity in America cinema. I currently use Benshoff and Griffin's book in my introductory film class on multiculturalism, and I look forward to using this new edition."
Vici Callahan, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
"In this era of diversity, American on Film is a great resource that clarifies critical concepts of inequality and illustrates how film representations can frame groups, thus providing tools for thinking critically about the media we consume."
Elizabeth Higginbotham, University of Delawarwe
"America on Film does what no other film textbook does: it takes its investigations of film beyond a study of form, production and exhibition, exposing how film functions as a powerful cultural agent for shaping American perceptions of race, gender, class, and ability."
Alison Landsberg, Georgia Mason University
America on Film: Representing Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality at the Movies is a lively introduction to issues of diversity as represented within the American cinema. The first synthetic and historical text of its kind, America on Film provides a comprehensive overview of the industrial, socio-cultural, and aesthetic factors that contribute to cinematic representations of race, class, gender, and sexuality. The volume chronicles the cinematic history of various cultural groups, examines forces and institutions of bias, and stimulates discussion about the relationship between film and American national culture.
The book is organized within a broad historical framework, with specific theoretical concepts - including film genre, auteurism, cultural studies, Orientalism, the "male gaze," feminism, and queer theory - integrated throughout. Each individual chapter features a concise overview of the topic at hand, a discussion of representative films, figures, and movements, and an in-depth analysis of a single film, including The Lion King, The Jazz Singer, Smoke Signals, The Grapes of Wrath, and The Celluloid Closet.
This new edition is fully revised and updated. It includes a new chapter on the representation of disability in American film, and a new collection of updated case studies, including discussions of Erin Brockovich, 8 Mile, Crash, and Brokeback Mountain, among others.
About the Author
Harry M. Benshoff is Associate Professor of Radio, Television, and Film at the University of North Texas.
Sean Griffin is Associate Professor of Cinema and Television at Southern Methodist University.
Product details
- ASIN : 1405170557
- Publisher : Blackwell Pub; 2nd edition (January 1, 2009)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 453 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9781405170550
- ISBN-13 : 978-1405170550
- Item Weight : 2.25 pounds
- Dimensions : 7.5 x 1 x 9.75 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #331,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #91 in Film & Television
- #601 in Movie History & Criticism
- #2,647 in Performing Arts (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book informative and easy to understand. They appreciate the historical context and useful information provided about film. However, some readers find the content boring and a waste of time. There are mixed opinions on the characterization, with some finding it clear and insightful, while others consider some viewpoints ridiculous and flawed.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book useful and informative. They find it easy to understand, with good points made about the film industry. The material is easy to read and helpful for writing essays. Some readers mention it's perfect for class.
"This is one of my favorite books about film. It's smart, but easy to understand for readers not well versed in the jargon of cinema studies...." Read more
"The book is really very interesting! It's very didactic, it makes difficult concepts easy to understand. Besides the film critiques are great!!..." Read more
"Despite it being a requirement for my Cinema class, the book was engaging, well written..." Read more
"...Useful and accessible for anyone who wants to learn more about how to "read" film with a more critical eye." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and well-written. It makes difficult concepts understandable, though some find it simple and basic at times. Overall, it's a decent introduction text.
"...It's smart, but easy to understand for readers not well versed in the jargon of cinema studies...." Read more
"...It's very didactic, it makes difficult concepts easy to understand. Besides the film critiques are great!!..." Read more
"...it being a requirement for my Cinema class, the book was engaging, well written (albeit with a politically-liberal slant - from a liberal m'self)..." Read more
"...This textbook is a bit outdated, but it's really well written, and of course, the film history still holds true." Read more
Customers find the book helpful and informative about the history of film. They appreciate the valid assessments and historical information regarding prejudices.
"...While it does contain some valid assessments and historical information regarding prejudices and stereotyping in Hollywood over the years, it is..." Read more
"...outdated, but it's really well written, and of course, the film history still holds true." Read more
"Extremely informative as the history of film is reviewed and explored.0" Read more
"Such a helpful book about film." Read more
Customers have different views on the book. Some find it provides a clear analysis of race and gender in film, while others feel some viewpoints are ridiculous and flawed.
"This books offers a terrific overview of the representation of race, gender, sexuality, and class in Hollywood films...." Read more
"...This text is a tragic look at how extremism and rabid feminist-theory can actually work to discredit important concepts and ideas...." Read more
"Benshoff provides wonderfully clear analysis on stereotypes and gender in film...." Read more
"Provided some good history but a lot of critiques/statements were seriously flawed..." Read more
Customers find the book boring and a waste of time, ink, and paper.
"...This book ultimately is a waste of time, ink, and paper, although it's not without its comedic value...." Read more
"good conditions. book was kinda boring though" Read more
"It was not very interesting. I only bought it for school. But it was very helpful when writing essays and stuff" Read more
"...it's very informative and has some great talking points, it's also very boring." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2015This is one of my favorite books about film. It's smart, but easy to understand for readers not well versed in the jargon of cinema studies. For anyone who is interested in meta, pop culture, or gender/race/class theory, this book is a must have. I used the prior edition in undergrad and fell in love so much I had to buy the new one as well for its new sections on disability in film.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2024Bought for a college class, good book.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2012The book is really very interesting! It's very didactic, it makes difficult concepts easy to understand. Besides the film critiques are great!! They make you become aware of things you hadn't noticed when watching the film. I'm VERY happy with it. Amazon delivery service was also impeccable!!
- Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2017Despite it being a requirement for my Cinema class, the book was engaging, well written (albeit with a politically-liberal slant - from a liberal m'self) and genuinely easy to read.
Recommend even if you aren't taking a class.
Also mine came practically new, so thanks!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2010This book seems most relevant when viewed as a sociology text than as a film text. The authors provide many good examples of films where images of race, class and gender are portrayed in support of what the authors call the "dominant ideology". They are very critical of Hollywood, taking the film industry to task for the many ways it has irresponsibly and carelessly used its power in film as well as the way it treated actors and employees.
However, this isn't a particularly enjoyable book to read. The book is from the viewpoint of the authors and few references cited as external support. There's a seemingly endless supply of example films, but no discussion with actual directors, writers or actors. What is *their* opinion and experiences? You know, the people who worked for these bloodsucking, sexist, racist and abusive studios? Furthermore, while I don't have a problem with using Sigmund Freud's work in either a crediting or discrediting role (the book does both), I would much rather see analysis from contemporary researchers and professionals. Citing Freud when applicable to films or views in his time is appropriate; citing him for a modern or clinical definition of fetishization seems inappropriate considering Freud's reputation for being occasionally wrong, nuts, or both.
With a little less dryness, fresher approaches and more supporting examples, this could be an outstanding work. As it stands right now, it's more like a highly polished version of someone's thesis.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2016This books offers a terrific overview of the representation of race, gender, sexuality, and class in Hollywood films. Useful and accessible for anyone who wants to learn more about how to "read" film with a more critical eye.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2011Books like this one are actually more divisive than corrective in terms of addressing social problems. As another reviewer stated, according to this book, EVERYTHING is racist, offensive and discriminatory. While it does contain some valid assessments and historical information regarding prejudices and stereotyping in Hollywood over the years, it is largely flawed by an almost completely paranoid view of the film industry and the apparent desire to brand everything as socially-insensitive.
This book ultimately is a waste of time, ink, and paper, although it's not without its comedic value. Some of its "reading way too far into it and desperately grasping for what's not really there" analyses are worth reading for the unintentionally-humorous, borderline-conspiracy-theorist content.
Simply put, this book is the work of two authors who have nothing useful to say or contribute to society. As a result of this (and as noted by yet another reviewer), the authors are just looking to appear more knowledgeable and informed than you are by branding everything as racially- and ethnically-offensive and insensitive.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2013Book products are the best because they give you knowledge, so with that said i love this product. Especially the fact that delivery is instant because its a kindle edition. Thank You.
Top reviews from other countries
- F. JacobsReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 5, 2014
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Very useful. Opened it most days while studying my film course it helped me a lot.
-
Jojo53Reviewed in Italy on March 28, 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars Ottimo acquisto
Ottimo acquisto, l'ordine è arrivato nel tempo previsto, il libro era in ottime condizioni. E' molto utile se si è interessati a questi argomenti, espone bene gli argomenti e mette molto bene in evidenza la diversa visione degli americani riguardo certi temi.