In this lively and up-to-date analysis, David Parkinson traces the evolution of the moving image from the earliest shadow shows to the digital filmmaking of the twenty-first century. Covering the key elements and players that have contributed to its artistic and technical development, the book offers a concise overview of film throughout the world. Beginning with the origins of the movies, it assesses the achievements of an international body of filmmakers. A new chapter maps the developments in form and technology across the world from the mid-1990s to today, examining among other things...