British Films of the 1970s

Description

The volume offers highly detailed and insightful critical analysis of a range of individual films of the period. This analysis draws upon an innovative range of critical methodologies which place the film texts within a rich variety of historical contexts. The book sets out to examine British films of the 1970s in order to get a clearer understanding of two things - the fragmentary state of the filmmaking culture of the period, and the fragmentary nature of the nation that these films represent. It argues that there is no singular narrative to be drawn about British filmmaking in the 1970s, other than the fact that these films offer evidence of a Britain (and ideas of Britishness) characterised by vicissitudes. While this was a period of struggle and instability, it was also a period of openings, of experiment, and of new ideas. Newland looks at many films, including Carry On Girls, O Lucky Man!, That'll be the Day, The Shout, and The Long Good Friday. -- .

Paul Newland is Lecturer in Film Studies in the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies at Aberystwyth University -- .

Newland's current work is a valuable contribution to this corpus, with one of its principal attractions being the detailed picture that emerges of a varied and eclectic film culture characterised by contradictory and permeable notions of Britishness. -- .