Film Analysis Assignment. Bridge of Spies (2015)

Film Analysis Assignment: Modern U.S. History

Assigned Films

Bridge of Spies (2015)

Thirteen Days (2000)

Charlie Wilson’s War (2007)

Due Date: ________________ (see syllabus)

Late Penalty: You will drop one whole letter grade (ten percent) for each day it is late. However, submitting late and getting some points will help your final grade, rather than just getting a 0.

Steps in this Assignment

Step 1: Watch all 3 films. You may purchase the films, rent them, or check them out from the library.

Step 2: Decide which of the films better addressed the themes listed below. Let the instructor know which of the films you chose. Write about ALL the films in your analysis paper but focus on explaining why one of the films addressed the themes better than the others. Make your essay argumentative.

Step 3: Once you let the instructor know your choice of film, you will be grouped with others who chose the same film and you will create a presentation for that film as a group.

Step 4: Present on the film. (See syllabus for presentation dates.)

Paper Portion

Formatting: The paper must be: 3-4 pages in length, (full pages: ½ a page, or ¾ of a page do not count as a full page), double-spaced, Times New Roman, size 12 font, and 1 inch margins.

Citing: You will not be required to cite specific times from the films but make it clear in your paper if you are referring to information from the film, the textbook, from class, or from outside sources. If you use outside sources, you MUST cite them, or it is considered plagiarism.

Critical Analyzation: This is NOT just a summary of the films. Spend no more than one page total in your essay summarizing the films. The rest should be YOUR analysis of the work. Tell me what you thought, but think critically about it.

Consider the following topics/themes while watching the films. Choose the film that better addressed these topics or themes of the Cold War era.

The threat of Communism/Communists

Feelings of paranoia and fear during the Cold War

Treatment of “the enemy”

The role of the U.S. and the role of the U.S.S.R. in the world

You may consider questions such as the following when writing your analysis or presenting on your chosen film.

How accurate is the film? (Cite your sources.)

Are the films entertaining? How does this intersect with its historical accuracy? (i.e. does accuracy affect entertainment value and vice versa?)

How important does historical accuracy seem to be for the filmmakers? How important do YOU think it should be? (This is not a trick question!)

Considering that all historical films take some liberties with accuracy, why do you think certain historical elements were changed? What likely influenced the filmmakers to change their presentation of history? Was it effective?

How do the films portray their respective time periods, costumes, and locations? Are they well developed or “two-dimensional”?

How do the films portray characters as historical people? Do they seem like people from the time period or do they seem “out of place.”

Can you identify an overall argument in the films? If so, is it subtle or obvious?

Did the filmmakers seem to have any major biases? Do they point them out, or try to keep them hidden?

How do the films differ from a historical documentary?

How might you make the films differently? (try to focus on the historical themes and their presentation, since this is not a film class)

What are some other things you noticed about the films that stood out to you?

You do not have to limit yourself to these questions, nor answer every question. But you do NOT need to tell me such things as whether you liked the films or whether they were boring. These are personal opinions and they are fine to have, but they are not essay material.