The Book of Eli Review

Nicole Restifo

COM 143 – H(B)

01 April 2013

The Book of Eli Film Review

Watching The Book of Eli was a beneficial experience for me because it did a remarkable job of making me realize just how much importance we place on media today, and how at times we take it for granted.

The beginning of the historical print era was similar to the setting in The Book of Eli and all the while very different at the same time. At the beginning of the historical print era, printed media was very exclusive and very important; the most elite were the only people who could afford to purchase such up to date products like books and newspapers. The societies exemplify similarities because the post-apocalyptic citizens treated the book Eli carried as a valued possession, which is the same way individuals treated the first forms of printed media. On a much less in depth scale, both societies were comparable in that they had access to many different types of books. However, the post-apocalyptic period of time was only concerned with The Bible, and disposed of and stole all other forms of books. The early times of the historical print area were very much anxious to produce mass forms of media and find new and inventive ways to do so, as well as better current forms of media. In contrast, the post-apocalyptic society wanted nothing but to destroy all remaining literature. The eras also differed because earlier society used media to become knowledgeable, to be literate citizens, and to remain informed of events happening around them. The society in the movie (excluding Eli and a few select others) was more concerned about obtaining the book and using that form of media strictly to gain power and control. It was interesting to see how the movie represented each of the societies from very diverse time frames.

The countless messages and themes portrayed throughout the entirety of the movie were very well thought out and deeper than I ever would have imagined. One of the very obvious...