Ian Christie is Anniversary Professor of Film and Media History at Birkbeck, University of London, and a Fellow of the British Academy. His books include The Art of Film: John Box and Production Design and Michael Powell: International Perspectives on an English Film-maker.
"Robert Paul is written with clarity and intelligence, is easy and
enjoyable to read, and mainly avoids the jargon and theorizing that
still complicate some approaches to cultural history... [It]
acknowledges wider contexts and encourages the crossing of
disciplinary boundaries."-- "Technology and Culture"
"A clear labour of love and demonstration of dedication to
research, Robert Paul and the Origins of British Cinema brings
together the technical history of the evolution of British Cinema
and the biography of one of its pioneers who, per Christie, has
been sadly under-represented in narratives of the period so far. In
order to work 'toward making early film history accessible'
Christie blends research together into a narrative of technology
and personal history. . . . required reading for students of
British Cinema."-- "Early Popular Visual Culture"
"I owe a debt to Ian Christie's 2019 book for its extensive
comments on the films and their historical and cultural context,
and the context of Paul's life and non-film activities. The
coverage of Paul's family, friends, business associates, and many
related aspects including late Victorian education and
turn-of-the-century industry and business, will be invaluable to
everyone who reads this book. Also, it spurred me on to take a
deeper look at Paul's apparatus in particular, expanding my
knowledge considerably. During a difficult period in December 2019,
reading the book and responding to its contents provided a focus
that I needed. Robert Paul and the Origins of British Cinema
represents a great deal of work over many years and will be much
used by students of early cinema. . . . Christie's energetic and
enthusiastic championing of Paul - culminating in exhibitions,
illustrated talks, a book, graphic novel, and ongoing blog - has
placed the somewhat enigmatic but important pioneer in a new
spotlight, especially with the general public."--Stephen Herbert
"The Optilogue"
"Robert Paul and the Origins of British Cinema will likely remain
the definitive monograph on a fascinating and influential early
British film pioneer. Christie provides novel insights into how
British cinema in its earliest years documented historical events
and lucidly traces the origins of motion picture copyright wars.
This is an outstanding study that is certain to be welcomed by film
scholars and to transform the study and teaching of the early years
of cinema."--Edward Dimendberg, Professor of Humanities, University
of California, Irvine
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