> Date:    Fri, 5 Jun 1998 18:18:49 +0100

> From:    Ingvald Bergsagel <[log in to unmask]>

> Subject: Action as genre

>

> Does anyone know of genre-studies done on action-films? I've found plenty

> on western, noir, gangster, sci-fi, adventure and other related genres, in

> addition to (naturaly) writings on screen-violence mentioning classic

> action-flicks, but nobody seems to have analysed action as a genre.

 

I think the reason is, as I suggest in my book on the historical adventure

genre, because "action" itself is not a genre.  The types you've mentioned

above are genres, whereas action is a style uniting them.  The word action

itself does not imply a specific type of story or formula, but rather a

way of treating a story and an emphasis on certain types of elements.

Action is a male-oriented approach dependent on physical movement,

violence, and suspense, with often perfunctory motivation and romance.

Action tends to shift sentiment, character, dialogue, and family to the

background.  In action films a hero succeeds by facing death, courageously

overcoming dangers and adversaries.  Sherlock Holmes, James Bond, Shane,

the Thief of Bagdad, Luke Skywalker, and Robin Hood are, I would argue,

all action heroes--but each belongs to a separate genre (mystery,

espionage, western, fantasy, science fiction, historical adventure,

respectively).

 

 

Brian Taves

Motion Picture/Broadcasting/Recorded Sound Division

Library of Congress

101 Independence Avenue, S.E.    Washington, D.C.  20540-4692

Telephone:  202-707-9930; 202-707-2371 (fax)

Email:  [log in to unmask]

 

 

Disclaimer--All opinions expressed are my own.

 

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