The Hollywood War Film

The Hollywood War Film is an accessible introduction to the theory, history, stars, and major films constituting this vital genre. From untested young recruits and battle–hardened warriors to ferocious drill instructors and stereotypical enemies, this volume offers readers lively entry into the major conventions of the war film genre from Hollywood′s earliest days to the current moment.

Combining broad historical and theoretical coverage of the genre with in–depth analysis of specific films, The Hollywood War Film includes discussions of conflicts in the Civil War, First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, Vietnam, and Iraq: Glory, All Quiet on the Western Front, Flags of our Fathers, Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, Courage under Fire, Jarhead, and The Manchurian Candidate, among others.

List of Plates.

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

1. Historical Overview.

2. Critical Issues.

3. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930).

4. Destination Tokyo (1943) and Retaliation Films.

5. Platoon (1986) and Full Metal Jacket (1987).

6. Glory (1989).

7. The Iraq Wars on Film.

8. Iwo Jima.

Notes.

Index.

Robert Eberwein is Distinguished Professor of English at Oakland University. His publications include Armed Forces: Masculinity and Sexuality in the American War Film (2007), The War Film (2004).

"Free of theoretical jargon and labyrinthine argumentation, with long–winded yet stimulating plot summaries, The Hollywood War Film is first and foremost recommended to students of film and cinema buffs who are getting acquainted with critical perspectives on the genre." (Hollywood Enlisted, 2010)