Originally published in 1994, this important book traces the rise of film propaganda in the 20th Century, discussing specifically how film can be used to manipulate public perception and opinions. Two distinct areas are covered: war propaganda, including feature and documentary films regarding warfare; and civilian propaganda, including films that address a variety of political subjects. Although the focus is American film and American politics, this book offers insights for all those interested in the affect of film on the minds of citizens of any country or state.

Following on from the author's previous books treating aspects of the cinematic experience, this text reflects on what he has learned about that major innovation in the cultural life of humankind, and suggests to readers and scholars what ideas and concepts they might find useful in their own future studies.As this book argues, the most illuminating perspective for studying the movies is 'play', the notion that moving pictures were a major ludenic innovation in the world's cultural life and became a definite source of human knowledge and discourse. In that way, movies became an important...