From Caligari to Hitler: A Psychological History of the German Film

by Siegfried Kracauer

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An essential work of the cinematic history of the Weimar Republic by a leading figure of film criticismFirst published in 1947, From Caligari to Hitler remains an undisputed landmark study of the rich cinematic history of the Weimar Republic. Prominent film critic Siegfried Kracauer examines German society from 1921 to 1933, in light of such movies as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, M, Metropolis, and The Blue Angel. He explores the connections among film aesthetics, the prevailing show more psychological state of Germans in the Weimar era, and the evolving social and political reality of the time. Kracauer makes a startling (and still controversial) claim: films as popular art provide insight into the unconscious motivations and fantasies of a nation. With a critical introduction by Leonardo Quaresima which provides context for Kracauer's scholarship and his contributions to film studies, this Princeton Classics edition makes an influential work available to new generations of cinema enthusiasts. show less

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A landmark, now classic, study of the rich cinematic history of the Weimar Republic, From Caligari to Hitler was first published by Princeton University Press in 1947. Siegfried Kracauer--a prominent German film critic and member of Walter Benjamin's and Theodor Adorno's intellectual circle--broke new ground in exploring the connections between film aesthetics, the prevailing psychological state of Germans in the Weimar era, and the evolving social and political reality of the time. Kracauer's pioneering book, which examines German history from 1921 to 1933 in light of such movies as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, M, Metropolis, and The Blue Angel, has never gone out of print. Now, over half a century after its first appearance, this show more beautifully designed and entirely new edition reintroduces Kracauer for the twenty-first century. Film scholar Leonardo Quaresima places Kracauer in context in a critical introduction, and updates the book further with a new bibliography, index, and list of inaccuracies that crept into the first edition. This volume is a must-have for the film historian, film theorist, or cinema enthusiast. show less

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Canonical title
From Caligari to Hitler: A Psychological History of the German Film
Original publication date
1947
Related movies
From Caligari to Hitler: German Cinema in the Age of the Masses (2014 | IMDb); The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920 | IMDb)
First words
When, from 1920 on, German films began to break the boycott established by the Allies against the former enemy, they struck New York, London, and Paris audiences as achievements that were as puzzling as they were fascinating.
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)The dark premonitions of a final doom were also fulfilled.

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Genres
Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, History, Art & Design
DDC/MDS
791.4Arts & recreationRecreation, sports, and performing artsPublic performancesMotion pictures, radio, television, podcasting
LCC
PN1993.5 .G3 .K7Language and LiteratureLiterature (General)Literature (General)DramaMotion pictures
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Members
524
Popularity
57,044
Reviews
1
Rating
(3.91)
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9 — English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish
Media
Paper, Ebook
ISBNs
22
ASINs
13