Film Studies – Classic Silent Films
This course examines the films that critics from the Guardian and Observer newspapers placed in 5th to 1st place in their selection of the Top 10 Silent Movies.
These highly acclaimed films are:
The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (Robert Wiene, Germany, 1919)
The Wind (Victor Sjöström, USA, 1928)
The Lodger, A Story of the London Fog (Alfred Hitchcock, UK, 1926)
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (F.W. Murnau, USA, 1927)
The Passion of Joan of Arc (Carl Theodor Dreyer, Denmark, 1928)
The qualities, production and reception of these films will be considered through viewing and analysis of film extracts, tutor presentations and class discussions.
Who is this course for?
This course is for anyone with an interest in film and a curiosity to learn more about cinema. You are not required to have any prior film knowledge of or familiarity with the films under discussion.
Will I need any equipment or materials?
You will need a notebook and pen to take notes. You are not required to purchase any textbooks or to arrange access to the films.
Outstanding tutor, I always learn something new.
Image: The Passion of Joan of Arc, dir. Carl Theodor Dreyer, 1928
Need to Know
You will learn
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- identify aesthetic qualities of the selected films
- describe production contexts of the selected films
- recognise distinguishing qualities of the filmmakers’ work.
Meet the Tutor
Hilary Smith
Hilary Smith is a lecturer in film studies at Birkbeck, University of London, and has also taught at City University London, Imperial College London and Arcadia University.
Hilary has a professional background in film curation and arts administration, and was formerly a curator and programme manager for BFI Southbank (formerly known as the National Film Theatre) at the British Film Institute.
Hilary has received a Distinguished Teaching and Scholarship Award for ‘an outstanding contribution to teaching and learning’.
Course Overview
Week 1
Introduction
By the end of the session you should be able to identify the origins and development of the silent film era.
Week 2
The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (Robert Wiene, Germany, 1919)
By the end of the session you should be able to identity key characteristics and qualities of the film and contextual factors of its production and reception.
Week 3
The Wind (Victor Sjöström, USA, 1928)
By the end of the session you should be able to identity key characteristics and qualities of the film and contextual factors of its production and reception.
Week 4
The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog (Alfred Hitchcock, UK, 1926)
By the end of the session you should be able to identity key characteristics and qualities of the film and contextual factors of its production and reception.
Week 5
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (F.W. Murnau, USA, 1927)
By the end of the session you should be able to identity key characteristics and qualities of the film and contextual factors of its production and reception.
Week 6
The Passion of Joan of Arc (Carl Theodor Dreyer, Denmark, 1928)
By the end of the session you should be able to identity key characteristics and qualities of the film and contextual factors of its production and reception.
Dates and Times
Film Studies – Classic Silent Films
– , 8:34 - 10:34
