Cinematic echoes of covenants past and present
national identity in the historical films of Steven Spielberg and Andrzej Wajda

"The author analyzes selected historical films of Steven Spielberg and Andrzej Wajda with respect to historical memory and its impact on national identity. The Holocaust, self-scrutiny in historical memory, and foundation myths are focused in relation to the sense of covenant in the films drawn from the respective national communities"--

Sacred and moral sources of national identity and historical memory -- Spielberg and Wajda in their national cinemas -- Korczak and Schindler's List: the Holocaust and the extension of national covenant -- Holy week and Amistad: historical self-scrutiny and moral memory -- The glorious dead and commemoration in Saving Private Ryan and Katyn -- Foundation myths in a post-heroic age: Lincoln and Walesa: Man of Hope