Cinema history: Books and weblinks

Copyright: BBC

If you want to take an interest in the history of films and film makers further, why not try our suggestions for weblinks, books and courses offering more on the subjects?

Weblinks

• BFI National Library - in the words of Morning Edition film critic Mark Kermode, "An invaluable tool for anyone who wants to get a handle on the movies."
• BritMovie.co.uk - Dedicated to British Cinema and listing UK films with some information on film genres
• Cast and Crew - Information about the television programmes which brought together the original cast and crew from The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, If..., My Beautiful Laundrette and Saturday Night and Sunday Morning. Includes an article by Tony Aldgate on British New Wave cinema.
• Close up -The electronic journal of British Cinema. First and only issue of the online journal covering aspects of British cinema.
• ITN film archives also include the British Pathe Newsreel and other studios' footage.
• It's not just Michael Powell- British films of the 30s, 40s and 50s. David Absalom’s continually updated weblog, including ‘What’s on this week on television’.
• Moving History offers background on the twelve public service film archives around the UK.
• Screenonline - This British Film Institute website is devoted to the history of British film and television, and to Britain’s social history as revealed by film and television.

Books

Best of British: Cinema and Society from 1930 to the Present
Jeffrey Richards and Anthony Aldgate, I.B. Tauris

British National Cinema
Sarah Street, Routledge

Censored
Tom Dewe Matthews, Chatto & Windus

Courses

Has Nation on Film sparked your interest in film and history? If so, you can find out more through a variety of Open University courses. Over two million people have already chosen to study with The Open University – the wide range of courses and qualifications allows you to create a flexible programme of study to meet your own needs.

You can start with a single course in a subject of personal interest or in a topic that’s relevant to your job, or the future of your career. Or you may want to begin with a diploma or a degree in mind.

Explore The Open University's arts and humanties courses, or maybe you'd rather find out about social science courses.

Beginning to Study

If you have no experience of higher education, deciding to become an undergraduate student can be a big step. Our ‘Openings’ programme of short introductory courses has been specifically designed to give you the chance to test the water before committing yourself. Short courses, such as Start Writing Family History, are for people who may already have study experience, but who don’t want to commit to a full undergraduate course straight away.