The late 1960s and 1970s are now regarded as a golden period for American cinema. The old studio system had collapsed and what emerged was both innovative and exciting. Taking their influence from European art cinema and classic Hollywood, a new breed of directors made a series of intensely personal and uncompromising films such as The Last Picture Show and Taxi Driver. By examining the classic movies of the period, this course will chart the changes in American cinema during the 1960s and 70s. It will explore how the films reflect the anxieties of Vietnam and Watergate, and how - and why - the blockbuster movies like Jaws and Star Wars began to take over. Special attention will be paid to the key directors of the period, the so-called "Movie Brats", along with the rise of the "anti-hero" and the attempts to address and increasingly diverse audience. Furthermore it will look at how "New Hollywood" has influenced the cinema of today.
Course aim
To provide an introduction to the developments in American cinema during the late 1960s and 1970s and how they reflect the times in which they were made, so that the films can be watched with greater insight and appreciation.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners
- This course is for improvers
- This course is for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Discuss how American cinema developed between 1967 and 1980.
- Identify the key films of the period.
- Identify the key figures - actors, directors and producers - of the period.
- Recognise the political and social context which underpins the films of the period.
What else do I need to know?
No pre-knowledge is required, just a desire to watch and discuss the films of the period. Among the films to be examined are: The Graduate (1967); Easy Rider (1969); Five Easy Pieces (1970); The Last Picture Show (1971); The Godfather (1972); Jaws (1975); Taxi Driver (1976); Apocalypse Now (1979).
View full course information sheet
