John Ford’s History of the USA

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No previous knowledge of the subject is required.

Content of Course

Orson Welles said of John Ford that he was the greatest poet the cinema has given us. He is also widely recognised as a great historian of the USA and his films depict most of the significant eras of American history, from the Revolution War to Vietnam. They also contribute to the building of America’s own mythology, while offering a commentary on American values and societal transformation. In The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence, Ford famously said: ‘when the legend becomes truth, print the legend’.

1. Foundation.  A new land: Drums Along the Mohawk (1939).

2. Disruption, Civil War and Reunification: Young Mr Lincoln (1939), Prisoner of Shark Island (1936) , Civil War Segment in How The West Was Won (1962) and The Iron Horse (1924).

3. The American Imperium: The Cavalry Trilogy ('48,'49, '50).

4. Race: The American Nightmare: The Searchers (1956) and Two Rode Together (1961).

5. America, America: from  My Darling Clementine (1946) to The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962).

6. ” I’ve killed more Indians than Custer” – The Indian Wars: Cheyenne Autumn (1964).

7. Retreat from isolationism, America & The Great War: Four Sons (1928), Pilgrimage (1933) & What Price Glory (1952).

8. Depression:   The Grapes of Wrath (1940).

9. ” A day that will live in infamy”: December 7^th (1943) & The Battle of Midway (1942) and The Good War: They Were Expendable (1945).

 10. The Old Order Passeth - The Long Gray Line (1955) & The Last Hurrah (1958).

Teaching method(s)

Each session will consist of an introduction to the film/theme, with full screenings, followed by close analysis and discussion of the film. Each session to last 3 hours.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Engage with the debate surrounding the use of feature films as a historical source;

• Show awareness of the Fordian use of history as an ideological project;

• Demonstrate a good understanding of the auteur theory in relation to the work of John Ford.

Sources

Core Readings

Recommended:

• Cowie, Peter, 2004. John Ford and the American West. New York: Abrams.

• Gallagher, Tag, 1998. John Ford: The Man and His Films. California: University of California Press.

• McBride, Joseph, 2003. Searching for John Ford: A Life. New York: St. Martin's Press.

• Place, J.A., 1974. The Western Films of John Ford. New Jersey: Citadel

• Place, J.A., 1981. The Non-Western Films of John Ford. New Jersey: Citadel

• Stoehr, Kevin L. & Connolly, Michael C. (eds), 2007. John Ford in Focus: Essays on the Filmmaker's Life and Work. New York: McFarland & Company

Web Sources

http://sensesofcinema.com/2002/great-directors/ford/

Class Handouts

Class handouts will be provided each week.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.