Etruscello

Another British movie video finally arrived from our local NY library: I Know Where I'm Going (1947, with Wendy Hiller and Roger Livesey). We enjoyed it for all the reasons we've come to expect of old British movies: superb acting, engaging plot and effective atmospheric photography and context. In addition, this time, I received an insight: We're learning a great deal about British culture and the subtle yet substantial differences between British and US American culture. The first indication of that was a superficail one of language. Early in the movie, Ms. Hiller kept using the phrase "I know where I'm going" in ways that did not quite make sense to us. Eventually, and rather quickly, it became clear that the idiom that would be used here is "I know what I want." With that settled, her character and motivation became clear and we could relax and enjoy the show.
The real treat of this movie for us was the sense it imparted of the fascinating unity through diversity of British culture. In their struggle to not love eachother, the English woman and Scottish man find that what they have in common as British transcends any "language" and sub-cultural differences. I imagine that this was an important message in post WWII Britain that served to maintain the country's strong internal bonding that was forged during the war.
We will soon order one of 4 movies from the list you kindly helped us generate: Lavender Hill Mob (1957), Belles of St. Trinian's (1954), The 39 Steps (1939) and Hope and Glory (the 1999 version, I'm afraid). Any suggestions as to the most appropriate order of viewing? Thank you all again. Tom
P.S. We are getting to know many british actors new to us. Wendy Hiller looks very familar to me. Did she once play a Queen of England?

Now I remember! Wendy Heller was Alice More is A Man For All Seasons -- not quite a queen, but most noble.

Steve Crook

Yes, both phrases could, or should, have "in life" appended to fully explain them.

Steve

penfold

Spot on. If you enjoyed that - and understood the themes that well - then may I recommend A Canterbury Tale(1944) by the same team, and with similar anti-materialistic/pro sense-of-roots themes. Gorgeous, and with a fine ensemble cast.

I would suggest in chronological order of setting; The 39 Steps is pre-war, Hope and Glory wartime, blitzed London; Lavender Hill Mob immediately post-war, austerity era London; St Trinians a little later, and country-set - although the last two could be interchangeable.

Always...and we used to have so many great character actors. Roger Livesey only ever had a few leading roles, but was so charismatic. Have you seen his role-of-a-lifetime yet, in The Life and Death of Col. Blimp??
Stunning central performance in the greatest film ever made, IMHO....

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

Etruscello

Thank you! I will try chronological order, and look for Canterbury Tales 1944. My county's library does not have most of the titles that have been recommended. I'll explore using inter-library loan to search other county holdings. Tom

Steve Crook

The Powell & Pressburger film is A Canterbury Tale (1944). If you look for anything with Canterbury Tales (plural) in the title you might find a totally different film.

Steve

Fellwanderer

And what a little gem A Canterbury Tale (1944) is. I woudn't be surprised if you found it a tad odd on first viewing but it is well worth watching again and again.

FELL

All the best
FELL

A signature is no substitute for a life

Steve Crook

Hauling the thread back even closer on topic ...
Don't forget, I Know Where I'm Going! is on tonight on BBC4 at 10:15
Followed at 11:45 by the IKWIG Revisited documentary

Steve

Steve Crook

PaPAS

Fellwanderer

Thanks - caught it just in time to record!

FELL

All the best
FELL

A signature is no substitute for a life

Fran

First time I'd seen this film and I'm glad I recorded it and left it on record for the documentary. I've sent the tape to a friend as a sort of chain video to pass on to other friends who have yet to see it! I can't even describe why I like the film, it just sort of captivated me. In the documentary they mention a possible remake, but who would be brave enough to mess with such a gem?

Steve Crook

People have seriously considered a remake. But, as Scorsese said in that documentary... "Why?"

Steve

Bobj

Caught I Know Where I'm Going for the first time also the other night on BBC4. Can't believe at the the ripe old age of 45 that it managed to slip through my net for so long. What a gem!

Steve Crook

I'm almost jealous. To have seen IKWIG for the first time, that's a bit special [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]
And to think that Emeric wrote it all in less than a week!

It's not as well known as P&P films like The Red Shoes or A Matter of Life and Death but IKWIG has a very devoted following. A group of us are going up to Mull at the end of October to celebrate its 60th anniversary. See Invitation

We'll have a look around all the castles and other locations they used in the film (including some that aren't usually open to the public).
We'll stay in the Western Isles Hotel, where Torquil & Joan stayed
We'll show the film and even have a special meal where we only eat foods (& drink) mentioned in the film. Silly, but fun.
And there are a few good surprises planned as well.

Sadly Coryvreckan (the whirlpool) isn't very active that weekend so I doubt we'll go out there.
But you can take boat trips out there. it is quite amazing to see.

Steve

Steve Crook

PaPAS

samkydd

Steve did you spot Graham Moffat as an RAF sergeant with a moustache at the diamond wedding knees up in IKWIG? It's the first time I've seen him outside a Will Hay film!

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

Steve Crook

Yes indeed. He was also in A Canterbury Tale as "Sgt. Stuffy"

There's a bit of a mystery about that actually.
Graham Moffat & John Slater were both well known film actors in 1944.
They both played British Army sergeants in A Canterbury Tale yet they're right down at the end of the cast list and neither say anything in it.

Steve

Fellwanderer

Didn't John Slater mumble a couple of words when he fixed the projector?

FELL

All the best
FELL

A signature is no substitute for a life