The Hollywood war film: critical observations from World War I to Iraq

Combining action, violence, and deeply conflicted emotions, war has always been a topic made for the big screen.

In 'The Hollywood War Film', Daniel Binns considers how war has been depicted throughout the history of cinema.

Looking at depictions of both World Wars, the Vietnam War, and the major conflicts in the Middle East, Binns reflects on representations of war and conflict, revealing how Hollywood has made the war film not just a genre, but a dynamic cultural phenomenon.

Looking closely at films such as 'All Quiet on the Western Front', 'Full Metal Jacket', and 'The Hurt Locker', Binns reveals the commonalities in Hollywood films despite the distinct conflicts and eras they represent, and he shows how contemporary war films closely echo earlier films in their nationalistic and idealistic depictions.