30 review for The Films of Fritz Lang: Allegories of Vision and Modernity

1. 

   4 out of 5

   Steven Linden – May 25, 2021

   This study of (most of) the films directed by Lang is not exactly what you could call a quick, breezy read, but as something of a big Lang fan (I've seen all 41 of his extant films), I found it interesting. Gunning focuses on what he calls the "Destiny-machine" in Lang's works - a kind of modern reinterpretation of the idea of fate as a product of the impersonal network of technology that pervades the modern world. It's an interesting idea, and Gunning supports his readings of the films with det This study of (most of) the films directed by Lang is not exactly what you could call a quick, breezy read, but as something of a big Lang fan (I've seen all 41 of his extant films), I found it interesting. Gunning focuses on what he calls the "Destiny-machine" in Lang's works - a kind of modern reinterpretation of the idea of fate as a product of the impersonal network of technology that pervades the modern world. It's an interesting idea, and Gunning supports his readings of the films with detailed and astute examinations of them. There were moments when I disagreed with him (and other moments when I rolled my eyes at some of the very much steeped-in-academic-film-theory language) but overall I found his arguments compelling. I do sometimes wish that he had taken a slightly broader approach, and in particular I missed any real discussion of some of Lang's films that were left out as not being pertinent to his thesis (the war films, Rancho Notorious, Moonfleet, and the Indian epic, mainly).

2. 

   5 out of 5

   Amanda – Mar 15, 2009

   So I'm not really sure that all of what Gunning talks about is allegorical and he's a little repetitive, but it is an interesting look at Lang's work and made me want to see many of the films that he talks about. So I'm not really sure that all of what Gunning talks about is allegorical and he's a little repetitive, but it is an interesting look at Lang's work and made me want to see many of the films that he talks about.

3. 

   4 out of 5

   Laura – Nov 01, 2008

   This is a wonderfully written comprehensive book on Fritz Lang's work. I highly recommend it. This is a wonderfully written comprehensive book on Fritz Lang's work. I highly recommend it.

4. 

   5 out of 5

   Matt –

5. 

   4 out of 5

   Paul –

6. 

   4 out of 5

   Josh –

7. 

   4 out of 5

   Burritoboy –

8. 

   4 out of 5

   Stuart Allen –

9. 

   5 out of 5

   Oiseaux Invisibles –

10. 

    5 out of 5

    Jessica –

11. 

    4 out of 5

    Marina Martin –

12. 

    5 out of 5

    Kyle Pennekamp –

13. 

    4 out of 5

    Shanghaifish –

14. 

    4 out of 5

    Daniel –

15. 

    4 out of 5

    Mase –

16. 

    5 out of 5

    Evelina Pereira –

17. 

    5 out of 5

    Rob Same –

18. 

    4 out of 5

    Chris –

19. 

    5 out of 5

    Jessica –

20. 

    4 out of 5

    Vicky –

21. 

    5 out of 5

    David Palmer –

22. 

    5 out of 5

    Jon Recluse –

23. 

    4 out of 5

    Christopher Siers –

24. 

    5 out of 5

    Jason –

25. 

    5 out of 5

    Betty –

26. 

    5 out of 5

    Steve Elworth –

27. 

    4 out of 5

    Jim –

28. 

    4 out of 5

    Steve –

29. 

    4 out of 5

    JBe –

30. 

    4 out of 5

    Ivy –