
The Epic Films of David Lean
Constantine Santas(Author)
Scarecrow Press
Published on 22. September 2011
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-0-8108-8210-2 (ISBN)
Description
Widely regarded as one of cinema's most accomplished directors, David Lean helmed such classics as Brief Encounter, Great Expectations, and Oliver Twist. He twice received the Academy Award for best director, and two of his films, The Bridge on the River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia won the Oscar for best picture. Both are featured on the American Film Institute's Top 100, with Lawrence of Arabia at number seven. Despite the awards and accolades for these motion pictures, many critics often look more favorably upon the smaller films that Lean produced earlier in his career, and in recent years his reputation as a director has diminished.
In this study, Constantine Santas seeks to restore these now undervalued epics to the elevated esteem they once held. Without dismissing the earlier works or regarding them as irrelevant to Lean's evolution as an artist, this book shows that the epics, if analyzed from certain vantage points, are as worthy as any of Lean's previous films. In addition to Lean's Academy-Award-winning blockbusters, Santas also provides close analytical looks at Doctor Zhivago, Ryan's Daughter, and the director's final film, A Passage to India.
Santas argues that the epics show a progression and refinement of Lean's work and that they are thematically broader and feature more complex characterization than his earlier films. In his analyses, Santas provides background material on the production of each epic; insights into structure, characters, techniques, and themes; and a look into the relationship between the films and their literary sources. Written in a clear and engaging manner, The Epic Films of David Lean will appeal not only to cinema students and scholars but also to the general fan of David Lean and his work.
In this study, Constantine Santas seeks to restore these now undervalued epics to the elevated esteem they once held. Without dismissing the earlier works or regarding them as irrelevant to Lean's evolution as an artist, this book shows that the epics, if analyzed from certain vantage points, are as worthy as any of Lean's previous films. In addition to Lean's Academy-Award-winning blockbusters, Santas also provides close analytical looks at Doctor Zhivago, Ryan's Daughter, and the director's final film, A Passage to India.
Santas argues that the epics show a progression and refinement of Lean's work and that they are thematically broader and feature more complex characterization than his earlier films. In his analyses, Santas provides background material on the production of each epic; insights into structure, characters, techniques, and themes; and a look into the relationship between the films and their literary sources. Written in a clear and engaging manner, The Epic Films of David Lean will appeal not only to cinema students and scholars but also to the general fan of David Lean and his work.
Reviews / Votes
This is a fascinating, accurate, and highly readable account that will be valuable in both circulating and reference collections in large libraries with strengths in film history and criticism. * American Reference Books Annual *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Lanham, MD
United States
Product notice
Laminated cover
Illustrations
20 BW Photos
Dimensions
Height: 238 mm
Width: 159 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
478 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8108-8210-2 (9780810882102)
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
Other editions
Additional editions

Constantine Santas
The Epic Films of David Lean
E-Book
09/2011
1st Edition
Scarecrow Press
€59.99
Available for download

Constantine Santas
The Epic Films of David Lean
E-Book
09/2011
Scarecrow Press
€59.99
Available for download
Person
Constantine Santas is professor emeritus and former chair in the Department of English at Flagler College, Florida. He is the author of Responding to Film and The Epic in Film: from Myth to Blockbuster.
Content
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter One: The Bridge on the River Kwai
Chapter Two: Lawrence of Arabia
Chapter Three: Doctor Zhivago
Chapter Four: Ryan's Daughter
Chapter Five: A Passage to India
Epilogue: Nostromo: The Epic Continues
Appendix A: The Early Films of David Lean
Appendix B: DVD and Blu-Ray Editions
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter One: The Bridge on the River Kwai
Chapter Two: Lawrence of Arabia
Chapter Three: Doctor Zhivago
Chapter Four: Ryan's Daughter
Chapter Five: A Passage to India
Epilogue: Nostromo: The Epic Continues
Appendix A: The Early Films of David Lean
Appendix B: DVD and Blu-Ray Editions
Bibliography
Index
About the Author