The Story of Film is divided into three main epochs: Silent (1885–1928), Sound (1928–1990) and Digital (1990-Present), each of which talks about the great innovators in cinema, and how cinema changed. Full of the films you recognise , like Saving Private Ryan, The Matrix, and all of the classics that you might have missed, like Alphaville, The Cow, and Gregory’s Girl. The book focuses not only on Hollywood and the industry, but sets within its sites the entire world, including films from India, China, Africa and Russia, amongst others.

The author constantly places himself in the role of the moviegoer watching a film, and asks: ‘How does a scene or a story affect us, and why?’ In so doing he gets to the heart of cinematic technique, explaining how film-makers use lighting, framing, focal length and editing to create their effects. Clearly written, and illustrated with over 400 stills, including numerous sequences explaining how scenes work, The Story of Film is essential reading for both film students and fans.

The Story of Film, published to coincide with the fascinating 15-hour film documentary aired in September 2011, updates the most accessible and compelling history of the medium yet published. Film critic, producer and presenter, Mark Cousins shows how film-makers are influenced both by the historical events of their times, and by each other. Have you ever wondered how Douglas Sirk’s Hollywood melodramas of the 1950s influenced Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s despairing visions of 1970s Germany? Did you know that George Lucas’ Star Wars epics grew out of Akira Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress? However you’ve answered, if the questions peak your interest, this is the book for you.