Chapter 4: Film Flashcards
1
Q
Who directed The Birth of a Nation?
A
D. W. Griffith
2
Q
What year was The Birth of a Nation released?
A
1915
3
Q
What are the two basic techniques contributed by Griffith to cinema?
A
- Cross-cutting
- Close-up
4
Q
What is the primary story conflict in The Birth of a Nation?
A
The Civil War and its aftermath, focusing on two families: the abolitionist Stonemans and the plantationist Camerons
5
Q
What event causes Flora Cameron to jump off a cliff in The Birth of a Nation?
A
To avoid being raped by Gus, an emancipated house slave
6
Q
What was the budget for The Birth of a Nation?
A
$100,000
7
Q
What was the ticket price for The Birth of a Nation?
A
$2
8
Q
What major social issue did The Birth of a Nation incite controversy over?
A
Racism
9
Q
What did President Wilson say about The Birth of a Nation?
A
It is like writing history with lightning
10
Q
What term did French intellectuals coin to describe the visual style of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari?
A
Caligarisme
11
Q
Who directed The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari?
A
Robert Wiene
12
Q
What is the central theme of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari?
A
Mental illness and the control of a somnambulist by a hypnotist
13
Q
What year was The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari released?
A
1919
14
Q
What unique visual style is used in The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari?
A
Expressionist principles and techniques
15
Q
Who is considered the father of documentary filmmaking?
A
Robert J. Flaherty
16
Q
What year was Nanook of the North released?
A
1922
17
Q
What is the main focus of Nanook of the North?
A
The life of an Eskimo family in the Arctic
18
Q
What was one major consequence of the release of Nanook of the North?
A
The popularization of terms like ‘igloo’ and ‘kayak’
19
Q
What tragic fate befell Nanook after the film’s release?
A
He died of starvation
20
Q
Who directed The Last Laugh?
A
F. W. Murnau
21
Q
What notable period in German history did The Last Laugh reflect?
A
Germany’s Golden Age post World War I
22
Q
What is the primary focus of The Last Laugh?
A
The dignity of an old man working at a hotel
23
Q
What film did Fox collaborate on with Flaherty in 1931?
A
Tabu
A quasi-documentary South Seas drama.
24
Q
What happens to the dignified old man in the story?
A
He is demoted to washroom attendant and treated poorly at home
He eventually inherits a fortune from a rich hotel guest.
25
How was the film 'Laugh' received by American critics?
'The best film in the world' and a big popular success
## Footnote
Jannings' performance was a crowd-pleaser.
26
What technical innovation did the film 'Laugh' introduce?
The movie camera was able to move, simulating shakiness and aggression
## Footnote
This change was felt deeply in Hollywood.
27
What was the unique narrative style of the film?
It was told without any title cards
## Footnote
The visuals were efficient and eloquent.
28
Who directed the film 'Greed'?
Erich von Stroheim
## Footnote
He was a meticulous craftsman known for exceeding budgets.
29
What is the plot of 'Greed' based on?
Frank Norris' naturalistic novel 'McTeague'
## Footnote
It involves themes of avarice and human degradation.
30
What happened to Stroheim's original forty-two reel version of 'Greed'?
It was cut down to ten reels and two and a half hours by the studio
## Footnote
The original version was praised by those who saw it.
31
What notable scene is shot in 'Greed'?
The Death Valley climax where the ex-dentist and blackmailer fight
## Footnote
This was filmed in extreme heat.
32
Who directed 'The Gold Rush'?
Charlie Chaplin
## Footnote
He created the iconic Tramp persona.
33
What themes does 'The Gold Rush' explore?
Food, security, social injustice, and human condition
## Footnote
These themes are rooted in Chaplin's own experiences.
34
What was the public's reaction to 'The Gold Rush'?
Chaplin was applauded as a genius and the film was a great success
## Footnote
It featured memorable moments like the bear and the shoe.
35
What is the significance of the film 'Potemkin'?
It is a seminal work by Sergei Eisenstein, influential in film theory and practice
## Footnote
Eisenstein believed cinema could influence politics.
36
What event does 'Potemkin' depict?
The mutiny of sailors on the tsarist battleship Potemkin in 1905
## Footnote
It reflects the spirit of revolution and social unrest.
37
What happens to the citizens of Odessa in 'Potemkin'?
They are gunned down and trampled by Cossack soldiers
## Footnote
This scene is iconic in film history.
38
What was Eisenstein's belief about art?
Art could influence politics and cinema was the most important art form
## Footnote
He aimed to transmute reality through imagery and editing.
39
What event triggers the assembly of citizens on the steps in Odessa?
A mutiny involving the Potemkin ship
## Footnote
Citizens include workers, mothers, professors, and an amputee.
40
What happens to the citizens gathered on the steps in Odessa?
They are gunned down and trampled by Cossack soldiers.
41
What message does the Potemkin ship convey to the imperial squadron?
Flags spelling out 'Join us.'
42
How does the audience perceive the film 'Potemkin' during its release?
As powerful and resembling a newsreel rather than a staged movie.
43
What editing technique is prominently used in 'Potemkin'?
Montage, specifically hyper-rhythmic editing.
44
What principles did Eisenstein apply to his filmmaking?
Principles of dialectical materialism.
45
What was the reception of 'Potemkin' among critics and filmmakers at the time?
It was celebrated and regarded as ushering in the twentieth century in cinema.
46
What notable aspect does 'Potemkin' represent in the history of cinema?
It marks a transition from theatrical to cinematic language.
47
Who directed 'The Passion of Joan of Arc'?
Carl-Theodor Dreyer.
48
What unique filmmaking approach is used in 'The Passion of Joan of Arc'?
Focus on close-ups of faces and emotional expressions.
49
What was the critical reception of 'The Passion of Joan of Arc' upon its release?
It was hailed as the ultimate silent film.
50
What major theme is explored in 'The Passion of Joan of Arc'?
The intersection of eroticism and religious persecution.
51
What was the impact of Falconetti's performance in 'The Passion of Joan of Arc'?
It was so powerful that she never acted in another film.
52
What is the significance of 'L'Age d'Or' in film history?
It critiques Church, State, and societal norms.
53
Who directed 'L'Age d'Or'?
Luis Bunuel.
54
What type of film is 'L'Age d'Or' considered?
Avant-garde and surrealist.
55
What societal reaction did 'L'Age d'Or' provoke upon its release?
Outrage and protests from various groups, leading to its banning.
56
What is the narrative style of 'L'Age d'Or'?
It eschews traditional narrative for surreal and abstract sequences.
57
Who is the director of 'Stagecoach'?
John Ford.
58
What type of characters are featured in 'Stagecoach'?
A diverse group including a former Confederate officer, an alcoholic doctor, and a prostitute.
59
What is the setting of the film 'Stagecoach'?
A stagecoach traveling to Cheyenne.
60
What does 'Stagecoach' symbolize in American cinema?
The exploration of the American experience and frontier life.
61
What is one of the critical accolades received by John Ford?
Four Oscars for his films.
62
Who directed the film 'Stagecoach'?
John Ford
63
Name three characters in 'Stagecoach'.
* an alcoholic doctor
* a prostitute
* a pregnant wife of a cavalry lieutenant
64
What significant event occurs during the journey in 'Stagecoach'?
Apaches attack
65
What transformation does the doctor undergo in 'Stagecoach'?
He becomes Marcus Welby
66
What genre did 'Stagecoach' help to elevate in Hollywood?
Western
67
What was the impact of 'Stagecoach' on John Wayne's career?
He became a star
68
What notable location features prominently in many John Ford westerns?
Monument Valley
69
What is the title of Renoir's masterpiece?
La Règle du Jeu
70
What themes are associated with Jean Renoir's films?
* humanism
* realism
* lyricism
71
What is the story premise of 'La Règle du Jeu'?
A rich marquis throws an elaborate country house party
72
What was the public reaction to 'La Règle du Jeu' at the time of its release?
It was banned and considered demoralizing
73
What is the significance of 'Rosebud' in 'Citizen Kane'?
It is Kane's last spoken word and relates to his childhood sled
74
Who produced, directed, and starred in 'Citizen Kane'?
Orson Welles
75
What major themes are explored in 'Citizen Kane'?
* the enigma of Kane's life
* the impact of wealth and power
76
What was the outcome of the Academy Awards for 'Citizen Kane'?
It was booed during the nominations
77
What is one of the film techniques Orson Welles used in 'Citizen Kane'?
Montaging sound and image
78
What was the reaction to 'Citizen Kane' during its initial release?
It was a commercial failure
79
What does the film 'La Règle du Jeu' depict about its characters?
It shows their complex motivations and interactions
80
Fill in the blank: Jean Renoir is known for his focus on _______.
[humanism]
81
True or False: 'Stagecoach' was remade in the 1960s.
True
82
What genre does 'Rio Bravo' belong to?
Western
83
What was the main criticism of 'La Règle du Jeu' when it was released?
It was considered immoral and decadent
84
Who is the author of The Citizen Kane Book?
Pauline Kael
## Footnote
Required reading for enthusiasts of the film 'Citizen Kane'.
85
What does the film 'Citizen Kane' hint at regarding American pop culture?
Insanity implicit in American pop culture and life
## Footnote
This is suggested through various cinematic techniques.
86
Who is often credited as the real genius behind 'Citizen Kane' according to Pauline Kael?
Screenwriter Mankiewicz
## Footnote
This claim is refuted by Peter Bogdanovich.
87
What is the significance of the scene featuring old Bernstein in 'Citizen Kane'?
It reflects nostalgia and longing for a past moment
## Footnote
Bernstein reminisces about a girl he saw on a ferry.
88
What is widely considered the best of all Twenties comedies?
The General (Buster Keaton, 1926)
## Footnote
Praised for its seamless action and character integration.
89
Which Soviet filmmaker is noted for the film 'Mother'?
Vsevolod Pudovkin
## Footnote
He is mentioned as a contemporary of Eisenstein, focusing on lyricism and emotional depth.
90
What distinguishes Pudovkin's approach to filmmaking from Eisenstein's?
Pudovkin uses shots as a novelist uses words, while Eisenstein uses them like a musician uses notes.
## Footnote
This reflects their differing philosophies on montage.
91
What is the setting of 'Metropolis' (Fritz Lang, 1926)?
A futuristic city divided into two levels: one for the rich and one for the workers
## Footnote
It explores themes of class disparity.
92
What innovative technique did Abel Gance use in 'Napoléon' (1927)?
Polyvision
## Footnote
A precursor to Cinerama, featuring a large-scale visual experience.
93
Which actress starred in 'Pandora's Box' (1929)?
Louise Brooks
## Footnote
Her performance as Lulu is notable in the film.
94
What is the central theme of 'The Blue Angel' (1930)?
Transformation of a respectable professor into a clown by a cabaret singer
## Footnote
Highlights the societal changes in Twenties Germany.
95
What distinguishes Aleksandr Dovzhenko's film 'Earth' (1930)?
A blend of folkways, poetry, and satire focused on collectivization
## Footnote
Dovzhenko's unique storytelling approach sets him apart from his contemporaries.
96
What is the plot of 'Le Million' (1931)?
A Parisian artist loses a winning lottery ticket, leading to a series of comedic events
## Footnote
The film is noted for its stylized musical elements.
97
What is the 'Lubitsch touch' associated with Ernst Lubitsch's films?
Dry sparkle of language and sexuality, visual wit, and polish
## Footnote
Lubitsch's style reflects Americans' preoccupation with sex and money.
98
What themes are explored in Jean Vigo's films 'Zéro de Conduite' and 'L'Atalante'?
Revolt and freedom in 'Zéro de Conduite'; life adjustments in 'L'Atalante'
## Footnote
Both films capture Vigo's imaginative and iconoclastic style.
99
What is 'Triumph of the Will' (1936) known for?
The official film record of the sixth Nazi Party Congress
## Footnote
Directed by Leni Riefenstahl, it showcases Nazi propaganda.
100
Who directed and starred in the film 'Henry V' (1944)?
Laurence Olivier
## Footnote
This film was notable for its production quality and historical significance.
101
Fill in the blank: The first time Shakespeare was made into a good movie was with _______.
Henry V
## Footnote
This marked a significant achievement in adapting classical literature to film.
102
What is the significance of the movie's budget mentioned?
The unprecedented $2 million budget contributes to the film's overall quality and production value
## Footnote
This amount was significant at the time for film production.
103
What does 'mise en scène' refer to in film terminology?
Everything that takes place on the set, including direction of actors, placement of cameras, and choice of lenses
## Footnote
Literally means 'put into the scene'.
104
What is the definition of 'montage' in film?
Editing or creative editing that juxtaposes specific shots to create new meanings
## Footnote
Associated with the work of Eisenstein.
105
What does the term 'auteur' mean in the context of film?
A director who mediates style, theme, and technique through a single consistent vision
## Footnote
Coined in reference to directors like François Truffaut.
106
What is 'cinéma vérité'?
A documentary technique characterized by lightweight equipment and on-camera interviewing
## Footnote
Literally means 'truth'.
107
What genre does the term 'film noir' describe?
Hollywood gangster films where crooks are portrayed as sick rather than purely bad
## Footnote
The term was coined by French critics.
108
What is a 'screwball comedy'?
A genre that focuses on sexual relationships, madcap action, and verbal one-upmanship among the upper class
## Footnote
Reached its height in the Thirties.
109
What is a 'McGuffin' in film?
A plot element that drives the plot and captures the audience's interest but can be ignored later
## Footnote
Example: the plot device in Psycho involving Janet Leigh.
110
What distinguishes a 'zoom' from a 'track' in camera techniques?
Zoom uses a lens to change focus and distance, while track involves a moving camera maintaining a constant distance
## Footnote
Tracking is steady; zooming can be fast and arhythmic.
111
What is a 'pan' in camera terminology?
A stationary camera movement that surveys its surroundings by rotating left or right
## Footnote
Commonly used in film to follow action.
112
Define 'fade-out' in film transitions.
An image gradually goes to black before transitioning to another scene
## Footnote
Often followed by a fade-in.
113
What is meant by 'cross-cutting' in film editing?
Cutting repeatedly from one scene to another to establish parallel action
## Footnote
Helps create tension and maintain narrative flow.
114
What is the role of the 'gaffer' in film production?
The chief electrician responsible for placing lights on set
## Footnote
The term originates from a nautical context.
115
What does the term 'best boy' refer to in film crew?
The assistant to the gaffer or grip
## Footnote
Not a character role but a technical job title.
116
What does 'dolly' mean in camera work?
A set of wheels on which the camera is mounted for tracking movements
## Footnote
Allows for smooth movement during filming.
117
Fill in the blank: The term '________' describes a deliberate juxtaposition of shots to create new meanings.
montage
