Jeffrey Richards

Though overshadowed by the colossus that was Hollywood in its golden age, during the 1930s British moviemakers thrived and produced quite a number of works of merit. Jeffery Richards's book offers a broad overview of the film industry, one that encompasses production, distribution, and reception of the works it produced. To do so he divides his book into four parts, examining in turn the filmmakers themselves, the censorship constraints they faced, some of the key stars of the decade, and the defining genres of films they produced. From this emerges a portrayal of a industry struggling to overcome a number of economic and political constraints to produce films that were, at their best, every bit as good as the ones made by the large studios in America. While Richards's biases can occasionally distort his analysis, overall his book offers an excellent survey of its subject, one that should be read by anyone interested in British cinema or Britain in the 1930s.… (mehr)

It is hard to disagree with someone whose views fall so neatly in line with my own: Mr. Richards has a poor opinion of modern violent American offerings, admires the humour of Dad's Army (which, is surely a bit of a shoehorn to fit into a book upon film!). The only major contretemps that I would have with the author is when he dismisses the 'Carry On' series of films and 'Hammer House of Horror', in a disparaging paragraph each. The title of the book is Films and British national identity, not 'Films that I like' (although, personally I do enjoy both).

This opus feels as if it were written for students and, there I would foresee problems: the views expressed are much too personal. Mr. Richards is very knowledgeable about his subject, but lacks objectiveness. An example of this comes within the final chapter, wherein the author speculates as to the future. He sites three possible routes; firstly, a continuation of a perceived slump into self debasement; secondly, a plunge into American culture; and finally, a renewal of pride in the traditional British character. The first two possibilities are not explored whilst the latter has a chapter extolling the virtues of Captain Mainwaring.

Strange to say, that the books lack of contentious points, as far as I was concerned, rather let it down but, it did enable me to explore my thoughts in greater detail, for which, I am grateful.… (mehr)