The Finest Years: British Cinema of the 1940's (Cinema and Society) - Softcover

Charles Drazin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1845114116 ISBN 13: 9781845114114

Publisher: I B Tauris & Co Ltd, 2007

Synopsis

The British cinema during the 1940s was enjoying an unlikely renaissance. During the Second World War and its aftermath, filmmakers were finding a new freedom to reflect the national mood, producing works of unparalleled ambition and boldness. Films like "Henry V", "Brief Encounter", "The Red Shoes" and "The Third Man" have become enduring classics of British and world cinema.Now in paperback and with a new Preface, "The Finest Years" chronicles these seminal years for British cinema through the characters and aspirations of some of its leading personalities. Drawing on extensive interviews and original research, it brings to life the atmosphere, ambience and connections of a unique film-making community. It offers a critical but sympathetic, fresh view of well-known individuals such as Carol Reed, David Lean and Michael Balcon. It also introduces readers to some lesser known, equally significant figures, including the flamboyant Italian impresario Filippo Del Giudice, and Robert Hamer, the maverick director of the Ealing comedy masterpiece Kind Hearts and Coronets. Charles Drazin demonstrates with affection and erudition how all of these and many more fine talents made the 1940s British cinema's renaissance years.

About this title

Review:

Drazin displays impressive knowledge... this lively account of home-grown cinema at its peak. --The Independent

About the Author:

Charles Drazin's other books include In Search of The Third Man and Korda: Britain's Only Movie Mogul. He is currently writing The Faber History of the French Cinema and lectures on film at Queen Mary, University of London

About this edition

• Publisher: I B Tauris & Co Ltd
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1845114116
• ISBN 13: 9781845114114
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 296