Two British film noirs: The Third Man and Get Carter

What is the course about?

This online film studies course looks at two contrasting British film noirs, their status as noirs and their critical reputations. We will also be thinking about the ways in which each functions within the wider generic context of the British crime film, and, more generally, as British cinema at different historical moments - its heyday in the 1940s, and a period of decline in the 1970s. We will consider the expressionist qualities of The Third Man (1949) and the realism of Get Carter (1970), along with their use of location, as key elements in their design, and thinking about the ways in which each has become an iconic and celebrated film.

The first session will focus on The Third Man, the second, Get Carter. This course may be of particular interest if you are taking the 5 week course on British and French film noir earlier in the term, though this weekend course does not assume that you will have done so.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone can be used if you don't have a computer but please note the experience may be less optimal.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

• Critical accounts of The Third Man and Get Carter
• The popular appeal of The Third Man and Get Carter
• The concept of film noir in relation to British cinema
• British cinema and the British crime film
• The concepts of genre, expressionism and realism.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Assess a range of critical accounts of The Third Man and Get Carter
• Describe and assess the appeal of the two films
• Describe and assess the concept of film noir in relation to British cinema
• Evaluate the relationship between the British crime film and British cinema in general
• Describe and assess the concepts of genre, expressionism and realism as they apply to The Third Man and Get Carter.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts, digital materials, etc. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Look for other Film Studies courses at www.citylit.ac.uk/History, Culture and Writing/Film Studies.