Post-War Cinema

The Story of Film: An Odyssey 'Post-War Cinema' (2011)

*** (out of 4)

The fifth film in Mark Cousins' series once again starts off in Hollywood taking a look at pictures like STAGECOACH, CITIZEN KANE and THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES before heading to Italy where we see stuff like ROME OPEN CITY and BICYCLE THIEVES. As with others in the series, this here jumps around from genre and different periods including taking a look at how ROME OPEN CITY influenced future movies including RAGING BULL. The noir genre gets the spotlight with THE BIG SLEEP, GUN CRAZY and THE HITCH-HIKER. Musicals are also looked at as well as what Elia Kazan did and seeing the aftermath of him getting his Honorary Oscar. Overall this here is one of the better films in the series as the structure and style of the film blends together much better. Another plus is that we're given a few interviews that talk about the subject so it's not just Cousins' narrating. The impact of the war on neo-realism is discussed as well as the disrespect shown still to some blacklisted folks. The footage of Kazan accepting his Oscar is still able to make your blood boil whether you agree with him getting it or not.