{"product_id":"epic-in-film","title":"Epic in Film","description":"Constantine Santas encourages us to wonder why film critics have so routinely dismissed the epic film. In \u003ci\u003eThe Epic in Film\u003c\/i\u003e, he argues that \"blockbuster\" and \"artistic\" are not mutually exclusive terms, and, perhaps more importantly, epic film is an inherently profound genre in its ability to tap into a nation's, and sometimes humanity's, dreams and fears. Why do we see dozens and dozens of films based on the King Arthur legend? Why would a presidential-hopeful borrow a phrase, \"Read my lips,\" from Clint Eastwood's \u003ci\u003eDirty Harry\u003c\/i\u003e? Why do war epics proliferate in times of war or national crisis? Why are epics as a whole the most popular movie genre? Start with an individual quest of some kind undertaken by an attractive hero or heroine, add the weight of a nation, and perhaps humanity, into that character's struggle, sprinkle some awe-inspiring special effects and a general sense of largesse, and don't forget the happy ending; and there you have a recipe for a film that can contain the deepest emotions—fear, hope, insecurity, pride—of a nation, and, sometimes, a world. Whether you love \u003ci\u003eGone with the Wind\u003c\/i\u003e and hate \u003ci\u003eTroy\u003c\/i\u003e; find Akira Kurosawa's films brilliant; or marvel over the depth of the \u003ci\u003eMatrix\u003c\/i\u003e trilogy, film buffs will want to read this first book-length treatment of the epic, a wildly popular, infinitely fascinating, and critically underappreciated genre.","brand":"Bloomsbury Publishing Plc","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54233625166168,"sku":"9780742555280","price":122.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/1295\/4195\/files\/9780742555280.jpg?v=1769790635","url":"https:\/\/agendabookshop.com\/products\/epic-in-film","provider":"Agenda Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}