This guide aims to help students sharpen powers of observation, develop the skills and habits of perceptive watching, and discover complex aspects of film art. Organized in 16 chapters, the text, which focuses on narrative film, discusses film analysis in chapter 1 and establishes a foundation for understanding theme and story in chapters 2 and 3. The dramatic and cinematic elements that film makers use to tell the film story are presented and discussed in chapters 4 to 11. Chapter 12 provides a framework for integrating knowledge of all these elements into an analysis of the whole film. Chapters 13 to 16 explore specialized concerns and problems of film analysis. End of chapter assignments and study questions are designed to engender either class discussion or written response, help students organize thoughts, and increase involvement in the critical experience. At the end of each chapter, a list of films illustrating the covered concepts or techniques is provided. Appendices give sample student works of film analysis and a sample clip test. A glossary, selected bibliography, and index conclude the text. (MM)