the british film resource
    
 
the british film resourceThe Renaissance of the 1980s
the british film resourceAuthor:Matt Pearson 
 
 
Introduction Introduction
Margaret Thatcher Margaret Thatcher
Thatcher as Inspiration Thatcher as Inspiration
Audiences Audiences
The International Market The International Market
Cultural Identity Crisis Cultural Identity Crisis
Us and Them Us and Them
A Sense of Perspective A Sense of Perspective
Industrial Renaissance Industrial Renaissance
Artistic Renaissance Artistic Renaissance
Towards a Healthy Industry Towards a Healthy Industry
Conclusion Conclusion
 
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Introduction
Following the production slump of the 1970's, it was perhaps inevitable that the Oscar triumph of Chariots of Fire (1981) was taken as a sign of a resurgence in British Cinema. At the 1982 Oscar ceremony Colin Welland optimistically announced that 'the British are coming', but could British Cinema of the 80's live up to the promise?

A 'renaissance' can apply on a number of levels; in terms of production, the number of films Britain produced increased in the latter half of the decade; in terms of style, British film won many international awards; in terms of cinema attendance, this too rose from 1985 onwards. But does an upturn in the fortunes of British cinema really count as a 'renaissance'. Also, with the changing methods of financing British film and film-makers being forced to appeal to international audiences, how much of Britain's celebrated 80's output could be truly called British?

 
Margaret Thatcher
 
 
 
  A History of British Film   Early British Comedy   Early Hitchcock   Introduction to Humphrey Jennings   Humphrey Jennings and Third Cinema.   The Stars Look Down / The Proud Valley - Conflict and Unity   The Renaissance of the 1980s   Film On Four


The British Film Resource   The Films of David Lynch   Dennis Potter & The Singing Detective

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