This volume addresses the representation of European history in European cinema. Through a collection of nine case studies, it offers a European perspective on historical film narratives as well as on critical issues connected with studying film and history. In-depth analyses of several contemporary historical movies and classics from film history (e.g. Der Untergang, 2004), Vera Drake (2004), The Messenger (1999), Dawn (1928)) are complemented with solid theoretical exploration and an introduction by Robert Rosenstone. Thanks to its European focus, the originality of the analyses, and the selection of the case studies, the volume makes a fresh contribution to existing scholarship on film and history, which to date has concentrated mainly on American films and American history.