Film Assignment
Spring Semester US History
Part of the purpose of this class is to acquaint you with those parts of American Culture that everyone is expected to know. Some of this expected knowledge is in the form of movies and movie stars. Throughout this semester on your own and in groups you will be expected to see and report on films from the various eras of history we will be covering.
The Categories are:
The Stars - The Biggest Names in Hollywood History
War Classics - From World War I - Vietnam
Social Commentary - the films we see that mirror changes in society.
Westerns - An American Staple
The Decades - Films that are representative of the 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and 90’s.
Classics - Films that everyone is supposed to know about!
Category One - The Classic Stars
Humphrey Bogart Marlin Brando John Wayne
Ingrid Bergman James Cagney Liz Taylor
Bing Crosby Bette Davis Spencer Tracy
Marlena Dietrich Clint Eastwood Jack Nicholson
Henry Fonda Clark Gable Morgan Freeman
Judy Garland Greta Garbo Meryl Streep
Charlton Heston Katherine Hepburn Paul Newman
Marilyn Monroe Jimmy Stewart Robert Redford
After watching one/two/three films by a star on this list, write your minimum two well developed paragraphs summarizing one of the movies the actor starred in and explaining why this person is considered a star by Hollywood standards.
Category Two - War Classics
All Quiet on the Western Front
Sergeant York, Das Boot**, The Dirty Dozen
Casablanca - From Here to Eternity - Tora, Tora, Tora
Command Decision - Midway - The Longest Day - Patton
Battle of the Bulge - Sands of Iwo Jima - Stalag 17 – The African Queen
Great Escape - Objective Burma - Bridge on the River Kwai
Flags of our Fathers**, The Thin Red Line**, Letters from Iwo Jima**
Band of Brothers**, The Pacific**
Bridges at Toko Ri - The Steel Helmet, Pork Chop Hill
Platoon**, 84 Charlie Mopic**, Apocalypse Now**
After watching one of these classic war films write your minimum two well developed paragraphs summarizing the movie and also explaining how the events of the film fits in with the history of the event that we have studied. Be sure to include an analysis of how the film reflects the actual history of the war.
Category Three - Social Commentary
The Grapes of Wrath Erin Brockovich**
Citizen Kane Crash**
Schindler's List** Pay it Forward
Doctor Strangelove The Kite Runner
Testament North Country**
The Day the Earth Stood Still Milk**
Soy lent Green Juno**
To Kill a Mocking Bird Norma Rae
Mississippi Burning**
A Patch of Blue
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
After watching one of these films write your minimum two well developed paragraphs summarizing the movie and also define and explain the social issue the film is about. Remember to fit it in with the historical context. Lastly within this paper include your reaction to the film and your own views on this particular issue.
Category Four - Westerns
Shane The Good, the Bad and the Ugly**
The Searchers 3:10 to Yuma**
The Magnificent 7 The Treasure of Sierra Madre
High Noon Virginia City
How the West Was Won
Unforgiven**
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
The Western is considered to be a uniquely American form. After watching one of these films write your minimum two well developed paragraphs that summarize the events of the film and describes how the film defines a key aspect of who we are as a nation and why westerns are uniquely American.
Category Five - The Decades- Popular Culture
1920'sThe Great Gatsby
1930'sThe Grapes of Wrath, Bonnie and Clyde, The Aviator**, The Green Mile, Places in the Heart
1940's Gene Autrey/Roy Rodgers Serials, Since You Went Away, The Best Years of Our Lives
1950's The Wild One, Rebel Without a Cause, Blackboard Jungle
1960'sAmerican Graffiti, Woodstock**, Endless Summer, JFK**, The Deer Hunter**
1970's Saturday Night Fever, Rocky
1980'sWall Street**, The Breakfast Club**, War games
1990’s American Beauty**, Pulp Fiction**, Philadelphia**
After watching one of these films that focus on a specific decade and the popular culture as reflected in that decade write your minimum two well developed paragraphs summarizing the movie and explain why this is representative of that particular decade. Lastly within this paper include your reaction to the film and your own views on this particular decade.
Category Six - The Classics
Gone With The Wind
It's A Wonderful Life
Snow White
Casablanca
Citizen Kane
The Sound of Music
The Wizard of OZ
Most people from earlier generations have seen them and many generations to come will continue to view these movies. As one of your film choices, you may choose to view one of these classics. After viewing the film write your minimum two well developed paragraphs summarizing the film and discussing why this film is considered an American classic. Be sure to define what it is about the theme that makes it a classic.
**These films are rated R and if this is a problem please choose another film from the list. Before viewing one of the R rated films please get parental permission! Have your parent or guardian sign the bottom of your report.
The appropriate format for writing the reports is as follows;
1. Typed – Double Spaced. Font 12 Times New Roman.
2. Minimum two paragraph short essay – Check the descriptions at the bottom of each movie category.
3. Transitions between paragraphs.
4. Paragraphs for each new idea.
5. Check for grammar, punctuation and spelling errors.
6. Each Movie Essay will be worth 30 points.
Grading is as follows:
5 points – typed and double spaced
5 points – correct grammar and punctuation
10 points – proper summary of movie
10 points – addressing the issues as written below each of the categories
Extra Credit Options
1. Parental 5 point Bonus - Watch the movie with Mom or Dad and interview them answering the questions from that movie section. Have them sign the one page interview and this will add 5 points to your assignment. This is in addition to the other requirements for the category.
2. Groups Bonus - 1 point per person. Watch the movie in a large group (3 or more) and each person receives one extra point. All members of the large group must submit a signed paper saying who attended and when the movie was viewed. Include comments from the people who you viewed the movie with in your essay. This is in addition to the other requirements for the category.5 point maximum.
3. For the Classic Movies section 5 point Bonus - There are more modern versions of the classics and if you would like to add a paragraph, after reviewing a traditional classic movie, arguing for the addition of a more modern film to this list you may earn some extra credit. Make your arguments clear. This is in addition to the other requirements in for the category.
4. For the Classic Hollywood Stars section 5 point Bonus – Add a paragraph describing why some contemporary actors should be added to the list of stars currently listed. This is in addition to the other requirements for the category.
5. Extra films may be viewed for extra credit but only if all other assignments are turned in! Value up to 5 points per film added to your homework and quiz average.
Book Option:
Choose a work of historical fiction or nonfiction to read for the quarter. Include a brief paragraph summary for each of the chapters. Respond to the prompt below the movie category the book would correspond to.