From the Third Eye

December 1, 2017

It could be argued that the world of underground film and culture in the 1960s and 1970s would not have flourished as it did without the essays in Evergreen Review. The film commentary, specifically, dealt with the political, cultural, and sexual evolution of cinema, and gave credence to these changes in the medium. Moreover, the journal's publisher, Grove Press, became heavily involved in the production and distribution of films in this period, so these writings managed to both elucidate and advertise experimental film. Featuring essays from 1958 to 1973, and written by the likes of cultural critics Nat Hentoff, Amos Vogel, and Parker Tyler, this is a snapshot of a major shift in cinema and a true time capsule of films and filmmakers who are often little known outside of a film studies class. VERDICT A wonderful resource on the virtues of directors Pier Paolo Pasolini, Jean-Luc Godard, Vilgot Sjoman, and many others; however, the esoteric nature of the subject matter and the high percentage of essays dealing with nudity or pornography relegates this to an academic audience or devoted film enthusiasts.--Peter Thornell, Hingham P.L., MA

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