A pioneer in the field, Christian Metz applies insights of structural linguistics to the language of film. "The semiology of film . . . can be held to date from the publication in 1964 of the famous essay by Christian Metz, 'Le cinéma: langue ou langage?'"—Geoffrey Nowell-Smith, Times Literary Supplement "Modern film theory begins with Metz."—Constance Penley, coeditor of Camera Obscura "Any consideration of semiology in relation to the particular field signifying practice of film passes inevitably through a reference to the work of Christian Metz. . . . The first book to be written in this field, [ Film Language ] is important not merely because of this primacy but also because of the issues it raises . . . issues that have become crucial to the contemporary argument."—Stephen Heath, Screen A pioneer in the field, Christian Metz applies insights of structural linguistics to the language of film. Michael Taylor has translated not only many book-length essays in art history, including Matisse's correspondence with M.-A. Couturier, but several volumes of poetry, including Victor Segalen's Stèles and Horace's complete odes. He is also the author of books on Rembrandt and Vermeer.