Film and reform : John Grierson and the documentary film movement /

More than anyone else, the Scotsman John Grierson defined and influenced the documentery film. In this book, a part of the "Cinema and Society" series, Aitken skillfully examines the roots of Grierson's idea of the documentary, relating it to the philosophical movement of idealism, to the growth of the field of public relations, and to other reform movements. The author studies the social framework that allowed, shaped, and ultimately defeated Grierson's idea of an independent yet government-sponsored documentary filmmaking unit in England. Although he may perhaps antagonize Grierson's worshippers, Aitken views Grierson's approach from all sides, noting his elitism, suspicion of individualism, and political compromises, and paying tribute to his balance in film between aesthetics and social purpose. Aitken provides a readable and interesting intellectual biography of one of the giants of nonfiction film. Recommended for college and university libraries. -J. J. Jorgens, American University