The Medieval Hero on Screen
Representations from Beowulf to Buffy
Published on 15. July 2004
Book
Paperback/Softback
276 pages
978-0-7864-1926-5 (ISBN)
Description
Few figures have captured Hollywood's and the public's imagination as completely as have medieval heroes. Cast as chivalric knight, warrior princess, "alpha male in tights," or an amalgamation, and as likely to appear in Hong Kong action flicks and spaghetti westerns as films set in the Middle Ages, the medieval hero on film serves many purposes.
This collection of essays about the medieval hero on screen, contributed by scholars from a variety of disciplines, draws upon a wide range of movies and medieval texts. The essays are grouped into five sections, each with an introduction by the editors: an exploration of historic authenticity; heroic children and the lessons they convey to young viewers; medieval female heroes; the place of the hero's weapon in pop culture; and teaching the medieval movie in the classroom. Thirty-two film stills illustrate the work, and each essay includes notes, a filmography, and a bibliography. There is a foreword by Jonathan Rosenbaum, and an index is included.
Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.
This collection of essays about the medieval hero on screen, contributed by scholars from a variety of disciplines, draws upon a wide range of movies and medieval texts. The essays are grouped into five sections, each with an introduction by the editors: an exploration of historic authenticity; heroic children and the lessons they convey to young viewers; medieval female heroes; the place of the hero's weapon in pop culture; and teaching the medieval movie in the classroom. Thirty-two film stills illustrate the work, and each essay includes notes, a filmography, and a bibliography. There is a foreword by Jonathan Rosenbaum, and an index is included.
Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.
Reviews / Votes
"compelling and insightful...carefully reasoned and well written...intelligent...well illustrated...excellent...highly recommended"-Choice; "impressive collection..thought-provoking and insightful...a welcome addition"-Arthuriana; "encapsulates the sense of lively enquiry and debate that makes this book worthwhile"-Journal of American Studies; "wonderful suggestions for teaching the medieval movie"-The Historical Novels Review.More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Jefferson, NC
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Interest Age: From 18 years
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
photos, notes, filmographies, bibliographies, index
Dimensions
Height: 230 mm
Width: 151 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
386 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7864-1926-5 (9780786419265)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Martha W. Driver is distinguished professor of English and women's and gender studies at Pace University. Sid Ray is a professor of English and women's and gender studies at Pace University.
Content
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Preface: Hollywood Knights
Part I. What's Accuracy Got to Do with It? Historicity and Authenticity in Medieval Film
Heroism and Alienation through Language in The Lord of the Rings
Authenticating Realism in Medieval Film
Part II. Kid Crusaders: Heroic Children on Film
Shirley Temple and the Guys and Dolls of the Round Table
Boys to Men: Medievalism and Masculinity in Star Wars and E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial
Part III. Iron Maidens: Medieval Female Heroes on Film
Girls on Film: Medieval Virginity in the Cinema
Chivalric Virtues in Female Form: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's Wudan Warrior Princess as Medieval Hero
Not Your Typical Knight: The Emerging On-Screen Defender
Part IV. Time Bandits: Contemporary Appropriations
The Hagiography of Steel: The Hero's Weapon and Its Place in Pop Culture
The Way of the Wizard: Reflections of Merlin on Film
Hard Day's Knights: First Knight, A Knight's Tale, and Black Knight
Part V. "Stond and Delyver": Teaching the Medieval Movie
Oh, What a Lovely War! Joan of Arc on Screen
The Hero in the Classroom
Notes on Contributors
Index
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Preface: Hollywood Knights
Part I. What's Accuracy Got to Do with It? Historicity and Authenticity in Medieval Film
Heroism and Alienation through Language in The Lord of the Rings
Authenticating Realism in Medieval Film
Part II. Kid Crusaders: Heroic Children on Film
Shirley Temple and the Guys and Dolls of the Round Table
Boys to Men: Medievalism and Masculinity in Star Wars and E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial
Part III. Iron Maidens: Medieval Female Heroes on Film
Girls on Film: Medieval Virginity in the Cinema
Chivalric Virtues in Female Form: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's Wudan Warrior Princess as Medieval Hero
Not Your Typical Knight: The Emerging On-Screen Defender
Part IV. Time Bandits: Contemporary Appropriations
The Hagiography of Steel: The Hero's Weapon and Its Place in Pop Culture
The Way of the Wizard: Reflections of Merlin on Film
Hard Day's Knights: First Knight, A Knight's Tale, and Black Knight
Part V. "Stond and Delyver": Teaching the Medieval Movie
Oh, What a Lovely War! Joan of Arc on Screen
The Hero in the Classroom
Notes on Contributors
Index