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Film Propaganda, Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany RICHARD TAYLOR, 1998 London, I. B. Tauris pp. 266, illus.; 12.95 (paper)
This new, expanded and revised edition of Richard Taylor's classic work (first published in 1979) examines the ways in which cinema was used for political purposes by film makers and their masters in two highly politicised societies. The return of this book to print can only be warmly applauded by all who teach (or study) on courses which look at the history of film or the role of film in history.
Professor Taylor was and still is uniquely placed to demonstrate how cinema was brought under political control in both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. What is less clear or indeed questioned is whether they succeeded in their aims or indeed how we could possibly measure that success. This reviewer, amongst others, will always find himself questioning any attempt to make quantative assessments of the political power of the moving image, for example Professor Taylor's statement that The Eternal eew was `one of the most powerfully effective' propaganda films. What is less questionable is Taylor's ability to engage in close...