Your second critical essay, on Paul Verhoeven’s Soldier of Orange, will be due at the beginning of class Tuesday, September 26. It must be typed (double-spaced) and 500-1,000 words (2-4 pp.) in length. No additional research is necessary for this assignment.
Please review chapters 1, 3, and 4 in Corrigan, Short Guide to Writing about Film, very carefully before you start to write. You will be writing what Corrigan calls a “critical essay”; see pp. 11-14 of the 6th edition. (If you are using a different edition, the page numbers may vary.) Film titles must be italicized or underlined; you need to use the appropriate film terms to describe shots, editing, mise-en-scène, etc. Also pay particular attention to Corrigan’s explanation of the difference between “opinion” and “evaluation” (14-16). Whether you “liked” the film or agreed with the director’s point of view doesn’t matter. Nor is it important if you found it “boring,” “tiresome,” or “clichéd.” Do not make egregious or unsubstantiated comparisons between this film and other films. The task at hand is to focus on close analysis of Soldier of Orange.
What does matter? Remember that this is a history class as well as a film class. Our primary concerns will always be to consider what the film tells us about the past and how it contributes to historical consciousness. Style is important, but for us, only to the extent that it helps or hinders communication of the main historical themes.
This is a short essay about a complex film, so you will need to select one theme or issue on which to focus and explain the reason for your choice very succinctly in your introductory paragraph. You will also need to be selective about the number of episodes or sequences that you use to support your points but one episode will never be enough. If you can only think of one episode to support your point, it is not important enough to write about.
Many (most?) of you did not care much for Soldier of Orange. If you were not persuaded by my arguments about its subversive subtext, then I suggest you write about it as a “mainstream historical film,” using Rosenstone’s Six Characteristics.
Your essay will be evaluated on the quality of your writing as well as on the quality of your ideas. Effective written communication depends on correct spelling, grammar, and syntax and organization. Do not use four words when one will do. Leave yourself enough time to revise your paper at least once. Try to be critical about your own writing.
The essay is worth 5 percent of your grade. The late penalty is 10% per day, including weekends. No Soldier of Orange essays will be accepted after October 3.