The Hollywood War Film

Combining action, violence, and deeply conflicted

emotions, war has always been a topic made for the

big screen. In The Hollywood War Film, Daniel Binns

considers how war has been depicted throughout

the history of cinema. Looking at depictions of

both World Wars, the Vietnam War, and the major

conflicts in the Middle East, Binns reflects on

representations of war and conflict, revealing how

Hollywood has made the war film more than just a

genre, but a dynamic cultural phenomenon.

Looking closely at films such as All Quiet on

the Western Front, Full Metal Jacket and The

Hurt Locker, Binns reveals the commonalities

in Hollywood films despite the distinct conflicts

and eras they represent, and he shows how

contemporary war films closely echo earlier films

in their nationalistic and idealistic depictions.

Offering a trenchant analysis of some of the

most important war films from the past century,

this book will be of interest to anyone who has

been captivated by how film has dealt with

one of humanity’s most difficult, but far too

common, realities.