A Sudden Flicker of Light: A Revisionist History of the Movies

From cinema’s most distinguished critic, David Thomson, comes a masterful reassessment of the whole sweep of movie history. This hardcover edition delves into how cinema has entranced, transported, and profoundly changed us from its earliest days to the present.

Key Themes:

• Explores the liberation of secret desires through film, from the freedom of the Tramp to the power of a Corleone.
• Analyzes the shadows cast by the light of cinema, examining how fantasy worlds can diverge from reality.
• Offers sharp, arresting readings of iconic films such as Metropolis, Rear Window, The Godfather, and Anora.
• Investigates the impact of spectacle, happy endings, voyeurism, and villainy on our experience of reality.
• Considers how cinema's influence may have led to a habit of passivity, potentially betraying culture and politics.

About the Author:

David Thomson is celebrated as 'The best writer on film in our time' by Michael Ondaatje. This book is the result of a lifetime of immersion and reflection, offering a unique perspective on film history.

Specifications:

• Author: David Thomson
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Page Count: 368 pages
• Publisher: Allen Lane
• Publication Date: July 7, 2026
• Dimensions: 16.4 x 3.3 x 24.2 cm
• Weight: 570 g
• ISBN-10: 0241843340
• ISBN-13: 978-0241843345

This book is a reckoning and a testament from a writer who sees cinema like no other, offering a profound look at 'our history, and our show.'