Downtime: The Twentieth Century in Slow Motion

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In the late 1960s, the cinematic technique of slow motion underwent a significant transformation, evolving from a relatively marginal practice into a prominent cultural and aesthetic phenomenon. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

James i. Deutsch*

doi:10.1080/01439685.2026.2717503

August 23, 2026Historical Journal Of Film Radio and Television

Downtime: The Twentieth Century in Slow Motion

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Key Points

Examine the cultural, technical, and aesthetic evolution of slow motion cinematography across the twentieth century.
Historical and critical analysis of cinematic media and visual techniques across twentieth-century film.
Qualitative evaluation of the transition of slow motion from a marginal device to a central aesthetic practice beginning in the late 1960s.
Identifies the late 1960s as a pivotal turning point where slow motion transitioned from a specialized novelty to a widespread expressive cinematic tool.
Highlights the structural and aesthetic implications of decelerated movement in shaping modern visual culture and temporal perception.

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Implication

Historical analysis reveals a major shift in slow motion cinematic techniques during the late 1960s, highlighting its transformation into a prominent visual aesthetic.

Abstract

Downtime: The Twentieth Century in Slow Motion does not shy away from making bold statements. One of the first is that in the late 1960s the technique of slow motion went ‘from being a relatively m...

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James i. Deutsch* (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8e9af2451774b83f3b3668 https://doi.org/10.1080/01439685.2026.2717503

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Downtime: The Twentieth Century in Slow Motion

Key Points

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Downtime: The Twentieth Century in Slow Motion

Key Points

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Implication

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