Signs and Meaning in the Cinema

This short book is one of the best books written on film criticism. It is by no means comprehensive; however, Mr. Wollen chooses his focus carefully. The book is organized around three topics: the work and theory of Sergei Eisenstein, the auteur theory, and semiology. Mr. Wollen presents a clear, concise explication of each topic, augmented with many examples from films as well as other arts. Unlike many books on theory, Mr. Wollen's ideas are not obscure, and his language does not obfuscate the subject; his are, in fact, the clearest, most readable explanations of the basics of these theories that I have ever read. That is not to say the book is simplistic, however brief it may be. For the novice, this is a first-rate introduction to some of the basic principles of film criticism. For the authority, it's a pleasant read, a refresher on some classic ideas in film.