Indian Film by Erik Barnouw


Indian Film
Title : Indian Film
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 0195026829
ISBN-10 : 9780195026825
Language : English
Format Type : Hardcover
Number of Pages : 346
Publication : First published May 29, 1980

Hailed as the definitive study of Indian film when it was first published in 1963, this book remains an unparalleled account of the film industry that outproduces that of any other country. The authors reveal a fascinating show business pageant that interweaves constantly with political and social history. In this new edition the authors have enriched and updated the story, depicting the continuing growth of the large public-sector documentary industry as well as the vast private-sector fiction industry, its increasing societal influence and the emergence of a challenging "new wave." The book discusses the significance of the films of India's great film creator, Satyajit Ray, as well as many other talented figures. Indian Film also depicts the industry's sharp contrasts, with works ranging from the noblest to the most preposterous - all reflecting the deep tensions of Indian society as a whole.

Indian Film Reviews

  • Michael Stuhlman

    I'm dipping myself into the Indian film pool and this was my introductory text. I finished it off tonight and feel I have a good base understanding of the history and a decent starting watchlist. I have another book on deck National Identity in Indian Popular Cinema by Chakravarty. This is a terrific read though I have two notes.

    The first is that it was published in 1963 so obviously it only goes up to about 1962. So while it covers a good deal up to that time its definitely not a totally comprehensive history.

    The second is that some of the middle chapters deal primarily with things like government influence, laws, censorship and a lot of the business end of things. While it's definitely important and informative it doesnt exactly scream page Turner. The sections that focus on individuals or a handful or people are definitely the highlight.

    Obviously a niche book but if you are looking for a great introduction to Indian film history this was a strong entry point in my studies :)

  • Paschalia

    An old book but perfect to review early developments of Indian cinema, especially before Independence

  • Morgan

    I found this book when I was obsessed with Bollywood—back in 1996 when there was little in English written on the subject. In it you'll find little pop and a good deal of history from the annals of academy. It's not exactly a guide to what's what and who's who in the industry, but it does lay the groundwork for understanding why Indian cinema is what it is: the heir to Indian folk theater, propelled from stage to screen for mass appeal in the world's biggest entertainment market. Neat stuff.

  • Brian

    Awesome esoteric overview of the history of the Indian film history. Covers the industry on a studio by studio basis and picks up on topics like censorship and inclusion of racial/caste diversity in film production. Fun for a bit of history, but not exactly a page turner.