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THE CINEMA OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND

Brian McFarlane (ed.)
Preface by Roy Ward Baker
A fresh, concise but wide-ranging introduction to and overview of British and Irish cinema, this volume contains 24 essays, each on a separate seminal film from these two important cinematic traditions. Films and documentaries from 1928 up to the present day are featured, from directors as varied as Robert Flaherty, John Boorman, Robert Hamer, Sally Potter, Neil Jordan, Jack Clayton, Terrence Davies, Thaddeus O’Sullivan and Ken Loach. As well as discussions of genre and influences, The Cinema of Britain and Ireland includes in-depth studies of films such as Pink String and Sealing Wax (1945), Room at the Top (1958), The Italian Job (1969), Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971), Distant Voices, Still Lives (1988), Orlando (1992) and Sweet Sixteen (2002).

May 2005
288 pages

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about the author

Brian McFarlane is Honorary Associate Professor at Monash University. His books include An Autobiography of British Cinema (1997) and, as co-author, The Encyclopedia of British Film (2003).



reviews

'The book's purpose is to contextualise as well as legitimise the cinema of Britain by focusing on generally obscure or forgotten films, most of which were overlooked by critical survey in the past and placing these films in the perspective according to cultural relevance. The Cinema of Britain and Ireland is a page-turning smorgasbord of intelligent insights contributed by experts on the subjects.'
– Lydia O'Connor, Film Ireland 

'A treasure hunt in unexpected places. It is truly refreshing to see the cinemas of these islands treated with so much ingenuity, curiosity and respect - and without any shamefaced and misplaced piety.'
– Geoffrey Nowell-Smith, Queen Mary, University of London

'An exciting and engaging collection of new essays exploring British and Irish cinema, this invaluable anthology contains outstanding essays by an array of scholars writing at the top of their form.'
– Lester D. Friedman, Northwestern University

 



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