Godard; images, sounds, politics (British Film Institute cinema series)

This book is the best overview of Godard's work in the late 60s. Specifically, that of the Dziga Vertov Group's (Jean-Luc Godard and Jean-Pierre Gorin) wildly experimental films. Save for "Tout va Bien" (bless you Criterion!), these films are rarely seen. I'll probably never have a chance to see "Vent d'Est" or "British Sounds", but thanks to Colin MacCabe's book, I can read about them. The books features many great stills so that one can get a sense of what the film looked like. MacCabe, author of "Godard: A Portrait of the Artist at 70", provides astute analyses of these often difficult films. The book itself is rather small and the print is tiny, but that in no way diminishes its significance. It is the most detailed study available on the Dziga Vertov films and provides vital insight into Godard's future works. Films such as "Numero Deux", "Hail Mary", and "Prenom: Carmen" build off of principals started during this experimental time in the late 60s and early 70s. That said, this book deserves a place on any Godard fan's bookshelf. Obtain this title at any price!