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Abstract

Second World War films have been popular since the war itself but have not been consistent since their inception. They are constantly changing, matching the society they are created in. It is with this in mind that this dissertation investigates what can be interpreted from a selected group of films while connecting with the general historiographical debate. In what will be called the ‘earlier period of films’ the films The Longest Day (1962), Patton (1970) and A Bridge Too Far (1977) are included. What will be referred to as the ‘later period of films’ contains the films Saving Private Ryan (1998), Fury (2014) and Dunkirk (2017). These periods are summarised as 1950-1980 for the earlier period, and 1990-2020 for the later period. This allows for the inclusion of films outside of the selected six to better develop analysis of cultural change. The inclusion of Film Trailers for these films encourages a greater understanding of the films themselves as trailers can be used to determine what filmmakers’ thought was important, or key, to the film and its message. It will be illustrated that the cultural change found in Second World War films can lead to a larger comprehension of modern film success and that the ever-changing field (with the continuous production of Second War Films) it is always open to further discussion.

Course: History - BA (Hons) - C1087

Date Deposited: 2020-09-18

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13542.html