Andrew Sarris

Definition

Andrew Sarris was an influential American film critic and theorist, best known for popularizing auteur theory in the United States. His work emphasized the director's personal vision as a key element in film analysis, advocating that the creative authority of the director shapes the film's artistic identity. Sarris's writings not only helped establish the foundation for auteur criticism but also inspired a generation of filmmakers and scholars to view cinema as a serious art form.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sarris introduced his version of auteur theory in his seminal essay 'Notes on the Auteur Theory in 1962', where he argued that a film's quality is often determined by its director's vision.
2. He created a hierarchical classification of directors in his book 'The American Cinema', which categorized filmmakers based on their level of artistic contribution.
3. Sarris believed that the best films reveal the director's personal themes and stylistic signatures, thereby making their work recognizable across different films.
4. His advocacy for auteur theory sparked debates among critics and scholars, leading to discussions about the balance between artistic intention and collaborative filmmaking.
5. Sarris’s influence extended beyond criticism; he shaped how audiences perceive films and encouraged them to appreciate cinematic art through the lens of individual creators.

Review Questions

• How did Andrew Sarris contribute to the development of auteur theory in American film criticism?
  • Andrew Sarris played a crucial role in introducing and popularizing auteur theory in American film criticism through his influential writings. By emphasizing that a director's personal vision is essential to understanding a film's artistic value, Sarris encouraged both critics and audiences to appreciate the unique contributions of filmmakers. His essay 'Notes on the Auteur Theory in 1962' and his book 'The American Cinema' established a framework for evaluating films based on directorial intent, impacting how films were critiqued and analyzed in America.
• Analyze how Sarris's classification of directors in 'The American Cinema' influenced perceptions of filmmakers within the context of auteur theory.
  • In 'The American Cinema', Andrew Sarris created a classification system that ranked directors based on their artistic merit and contribution to cinema. This hierarchy influenced how filmmakers were perceived by critics and audiences alike, as it suggested that certain directors were more capable of producing artistically significant works than others. By categorizing directors as either auteurs or less significant contributors, Sarris fostered discussions about individual creativity in filmmaking, leading to a deeper appreciation for those directors who consistently exhibited distinctive styles and themes.
• Evaluate the implications of Andrew Sarris’s arguments for auteur theory on contemporary film criticism and filmmaking practices.
  • Andrew Sarris's arguments for auteur theory have significantly shaped contemporary film criticism by promoting the idea that directors are the primary authors of their films. This has implications for how films are analyzed today, encouraging critics to focus on directorial style and thematic consistency rather than solely on narrative or genre conventions. Moreover, Sarris's ideas have influenced filmmaking practices by inspiring directors to embrace their unique visions, leading to a landscape where personal expression is celebrated. However, this emphasis on individual authorship also raises questions about collaboration in film production, as it challenges traditional views of cinema as a collective art form.

Related terms

Auteur Theory: A film criticism approach that considers the director as the principal creative force behind a film, emphasizing their unique style and thematic concerns.

Francois Truffaut: A French filmmaker and critic who was a prominent proponent of auteur theory, arguing that directors should be viewed as the 'authors' of their films.

Film Criticism: The analysis and evaluation of films, encompassing various methodologies, including auteur theory, genre criticism, and socio-political analysis.