Walter Benjamin

Whenever I read Walter Benjamin I always recall what my film theory teacher said the first time I was introduced to "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction", which was basically along the lines of "Walter Benjamin is totally wrong concerning films, but we are going to read this anyways" except in a much more tactful way. ( Perhaps an example of this "The stage actor identifies himself with the character of his role. The film actor very often is denied this opportunity.")

When I read this particular piece the fact that Walter Benjamin is very much a product of his political enviroment. And why wouldn't he be? He was German-Jew living during the time of Hitler's regime. I find the piece more interesting when placed in its historical context.