With films such as O Lucky Man! and Britannia Hospital, the British auteur portrayed his country as a bleak dystopia in decline – what would he make of today’s Britain?
‘No film can be too personal,” declared Lindsay Anderson in the Free Cinema manifesto of 1956. A decade later he lived up to this slogan when he shot his elegy to youth rebellion If…. at his old school, Cheltenham College. Winning the Palme d’Or at the 1969 Cannes film festival, it was the first in a loose trilogy of films that held up a mirror to a contemporary Britain that Anderson considered to be in a state of moral decline.
O Lucky Man! followed in 1973. Malcolm McDowell, who had played the chief rebel in If…., returned as a modern-day Candide who discovers that 1970s society offers very little grounds for his natural optimism. A brilliant score from Alan Price underpins the film’s bleak viewpoint.
‘No film can be too personal,” declared Lindsay Anderson in the Free Cinema manifesto of 1956. A decade later he lived up to this slogan when he shot his elegy to youth rebellion If…. at his old school, Cheltenham College. Winning the Palme d’Or at the 1969 Cannes film festival, it was the first in a loose trilogy of films that held up a mirror to a contemporary Britain that Anderson considered to be in a state of moral decline.
O Lucky Man! followed in 1973. Malcolm McDowell, who had played the chief rebel in If…., returned as a modern-day Candide who discovers that 1970s society offers very little grounds for his natural optimism. A brilliant score from Alan Price underpins the film’s bleak viewpoint.
- 4/17/2023
- by Charles Drazin
- The Guardian - Film News
The Mubi Podcast returns with a look at Yesenia, an obscure Mexican melodrama that bizarrely became the biggest box office hit in the history of the Soviet Union. Below film professor and historian Masha Salazkina adds to her commentary featured in this episode, discussing her love for international films growing up in the Ussr in the late 70s and early 80s. To listen to the episode and subscribe on your preferred podcast app, click here.Growing up in the Soviet Union in the late 1970s and early 1980s, I hated war movies. The march of these solemn dramas across our television screens was inescapable, accelerating towards the month of May (V-Day), and then again towards November, with the Revolution and Civil War occasionally replacing the Great Patriotic War (World War Two) as subject matter. During the school year, my dad took me to the movies—and he always chose the film.
- 7/1/2021
- MUBI
Hilton Valentine, original guitarist for the Animals who featured on songs like “The House of the Rising Sun,” died Friday at the age of 77.
Abkco Music, the band’s label, confirmed Valentine’s death Friday. “Our deepest sympathies go out to [Valentine]’s family and friends on his passing this morning, at the age of 77,” the label wrote. “A founding member and original guitarist of The Animals, Valentine was a pioneering guitar player influencing the sound of rock and roll for decades to come.” No cause of death was revealed.
Animals...
Abkco Music, the band’s label, confirmed Valentine’s death Friday. “Our deepest sympathies go out to [Valentine]’s family and friends on his passing this morning, at the age of 77,” the label wrote. “A founding member and original guitarist of The Animals, Valentine was a pioneering guitar player influencing the sound of rock and roll for decades to come.” No cause of death was revealed.
Animals...
- 1/30/2021
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Guitarist Hilton Valentine, whose memorable opening riff on The Animals classic House of the Rising Sun propelled the song to No. 1 in the US, died Friday at age 77. No cause of death was given, according to a statement from his former record company, Abkco.
Valentine was a founding member of the British group The Animals. The group’s House of the Rising Sun hit No. 1 in 1964 in the U.K., US and Canada, and is listed among Rolling Stone’s Greatest Songs of All-Time.
Valentine’s other hits with The Animals include Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, It’s My Life and We Gotta Get Out of This Place, the latter particularly popular during the Vietnam War.
The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
“We at Abkco have been privileged to serve as stewards of The Animals catalog and his passing is felt in...
Valentine was a founding member of the British group The Animals. The group’s House of the Rising Sun hit No. 1 in 1964 in the U.K., US and Canada, and is listed among Rolling Stone’s Greatest Songs of All-Time.
Valentine’s other hits with The Animals include Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, It’s My Life and We Gotta Get Out of This Place, the latter particularly popular during the Vietnam War.
The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
“We at Abkco have been privileged to serve as stewards of The Animals catalog and his passing is felt in...
- 1/30/2021
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Lindsay Anderson’s third ‘Mick Travis’ movie is a crazy comedy eager to overstep lines of cinematic decorum. Britain in 1982 is a country at war with itself, torn by elitist snobbery and working-class revolt. Union grievances cripple the functioning of a major public hospital, on a day when the Queen is set to visit. A huge comic cast grapples with satire that reaches beyond cynicism to express total dysfunction. And the comedy has a wicked sting in its tail: Graham Crowden’s mad-as-a-hatter scientist has diverted National Health funds into grisly experiments with human body parts. The ‘visionary’ maniac spills more blood than Peter Cushing and Sam Peckinpah, put together.
Britannia Hospital
Region B Blu-ray
Powerhouse Indicator
1982 / Color / 1:85 widescreen/ 117 (111) min. / Street Date June 29, 2020 / available from Powerhouse Films UK / £15.99
Starring: Leonard Rossiter, Vivian Pickles, Graham Crowden, Jill Bennett,
Marsha A. Hunt, Joan Plowright, Malcolm McDowell, Mark Hamill.
Cinematography: Mike Fash...
Britannia Hospital
Region B Blu-ray
Powerhouse Indicator
1982 / Color / 1:85 widescreen/ 117 (111) min. / Street Date June 29, 2020 / available from Powerhouse Films UK / £15.99
Starring: Leonard Rossiter, Vivian Pickles, Graham Crowden, Jill Bennett,
Marsha A. Hunt, Joan Plowright, Malcolm McDowell, Mark Hamill.
Cinematography: Mike Fash...
- 7/7/2020
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Bob Dylan fans woke up this morning to the stunning news that the songwriter had released a 17-minute epic titled “Murder Most Foul.” “Greetings to my fans and followers, with gratitude for all your support and loyalty over the years,” Dylan wrote. “This is an unreleased song we recorded a while back that you might find interesting. Stay safe, stay observant, and may God be with you.”
It’s his first original song since 2012’s Tempest, though he has released three albums of cover songs associated with Frank Sinatra since then.
It’s his first original song since 2012’s Tempest, though he has released three albums of cover songs associated with Frank Sinatra since then.
- 3/27/2020
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
This look at the ‘adjustments’ of old age and the pain of nostalgia is a prime opportunity to admire a pair of legendary actresses. David Barry’s play observes the intersection of several interesting personalities on one glorious late-summer day. Bette Davis and Lillian Gish earn our full attention, backed by memorable turns from Ann Sothern and Vincent Price, directed by Lindsay Anderson.
The Whales of August
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1987 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 90 min. / 30th Anniversary Edition / Street Date December 19, 2017 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Bette Davis, Lillian Gish, Ann Sothern, Vincent Price, Harry Carey Jr., Frank Grimes, Margaret Ladd, Tisha Stering, Mary Steenburgen.
Cinematography: Mike Fash
Film Editor: Nicolas Gaster
Production Design: Jocelyn Herbert
Original Music: Alan Price
Written by David Berry, from his play
Produced by Mike Kaplan, Carolyn Pfeiffer
Directed by Lindsay Anderson
Every once in a while a ‘sunset’ movie comes along, a picture seemingly...
The Whales of August
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1987 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 90 min. / 30th Anniversary Edition / Street Date December 19, 2017 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Bette Davis, Lillian Gish, Ann Sothern, Vincent Price, Harry Carey Jr., Frank Grimes, Margaret Ladd, Tisha Stering, Mary Steenburgen.
Cinematography: Mike Fash
Film Editor: Nicolas Gaster
Production Design: Jocelyn Herbert
Original Music: Alan Price
Written by David Berry, from his play
Produced by Mike Kaplan, Carolyn Pfeiffer
Directed by Lindsay Anderson
Every once in a while a ‘sunset’ movie comes along, a picture seemingly...
- 12/30/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Mark, Aaron and Keith Enright give a look at D.A. Pennabaker’s documentary portrait of Bob Dylan in Dont Look Back (the no apostrophe is intentional). This was a pivotal period in the artist’s career, and both the film and the music were influential. We dig deep as to what type of persona Dylan revealed, the cinéma vérité filmmaking style that captured him in his element, and also his attitude towards the press and others who wanted to label him.
About the film:
Bob Dylan is captured on-screen as he never would be again in this groundbreaking film from D. A. Pennebaker. The legendary documentarian finds Dylan in England during his 1965 tour, which would be his last as an acoustic artist. In this wildly entertaining vision of one of the twentieth century’s greatest artists, Dylan is surrounded by teen fans, gets into heated philosophical jousts with journalists, and...
About the film:
Bob Dylan is captured on-screen as he never would be again in this groundbreaking film from D. A. Pennebaker. The legendary documentarian finds Dylan in England during his 1965 tour, which would be his last as an acoustic artist. In this wildly entertaining vision of one of the twentieth century’s greatest artists, Dylan is surrounded by teen fans, gets into heated philosophical jousts with journalists, and...
- 1/25/2016
- by Aaron West
- CriterionCast
Considered amongst the very greatest documentaries ever made and selected by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant,” D.A. Pennebaker‘s veritable direct cinema portrait of Bob Dylan on his 1965 tour of England is an undisputed masterpiece. Yet, after Pennebaker completed the film, he almost gave up hope of finding a distributor. In the end, the film opened at the Presidio Theater in San Francisco, then known mostly for showing porn, to rave reviews and flocks of crowds hungry to meet Bob Dylan, or a version of Dylan, riding a wave of creative energy so quick that he’s bored and already reaching for the next thing. Its no wonder why Pennebaker named the film Dont Look Back, after a quote by Satchel Paige – “Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you.”
Still rocking the solo song man, guitar, harmonica and a pair of...
Still rocking the solo song man, guitar, harmonica and a pair of...
- 12/1/2015
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
D.A. Pennebaker puts cinema verité on the map with his terrific up-close docu portrait of Bob Dylan as he runs from concert appearances to hotels, cutting up with his friends, practicing with Joan Baez and giving reporters grief. Criterion's extras give us the best look yet at Pennebaker's innovative approach: don't direct, observe. Dont Look Back Blu-ray The Criterion Collection 786 1967 / B&W / 1:33 flat full frame / 96 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date November 24, 2015 / 39.95 Starring Bob Dylan, Donovan, Joan Baez, Alan Price, Albert Grossman Cinematography Howard Alk, Jones Alk, D.A. Pennebaker Production Designer James D. Bissell Music performed by Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Donovan, Alan Price Produced by John Court and Albert Grossman Written, Edited and Directed by D.A. Pennebaker
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
"I am not a folk singer. Do not call me a folk singer." The man who turned pop music on to socially conscious poetry is...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
"I am not a folk singer. Do not call me a folk singer." The man who turned pop music on to socially conscious poetry is...
- 11/24/2015
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Vevo employees will now report to a new head honcho. The online music video hub has hired Erik Huggers as new Chief Executive Officer, effective April 30, 2015.
Huggers will take over the duties of interim CEO Alan Price, who filled the position for a few months after the departure of former Vevo CEO Rio Caraeff. As new chief, Huggers will be responsible for overseeing all of Vevo’s business ventures; pursuing new product, content, and branding initiatives; and growing upon the company’s pre-existing relationships with its audience and marketing partners.
“We are enormously excited about the future of Vevo under Erik’s leadership,” said Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment, in a statement on behalf of the Vevo ownership group. “We are committed to continued support and investment in the long term success of the company. Vevo has developed into the world’s music video leader that reaches music fans on all devices.
Huggers will take over the duties of interim CEO Alan Price, who filled the position for a few months after the departure of former Vevo CEO Rio Caraeff. As new chief, Huggers will be responsible for overseeing all of Vevo’s business ventures; pursuing new product, content, and branding initiatives; and growing upon the company’s pre-existing relationships with its audience and marketing partners.
“We are enormously excited about the future of Vevo under Erik’s leadership,” said Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment, in a statement on behalf of the Vevo ownership group. “We are committed to continued support and investment in the long term success of the company. Vevo has developed into the world’s music video leader that reaches music fans on all devices.
- 4/30/2015
- by Bree Brouwer
- Tubefilter.com
How’s Rupert Wyatt’s “The Gambler” remake starring Mark Wahlberg? A bit uneven, but still entertaining. And its soundtrack? Well, we included it in our Best Soundtracks Of 2014 feature, so you know it’s worth a listen. Out digitally as of yesterday in a surprise, “it’s here!” announcement, “The Gambler” soundtrack does not feature the score by Jon Brion and Theo Green, but does include a lot of choice cuts. The most emotional and heartbreaking is easily Dinah Washington’s “This Bitter Earth,” but also moving and soaring are the two tracks by M83. The film also includes a lot of covers: Billy Bragg covering Bob Dylan (“Don't Think Twice, It's Alright”), dub reggae group Easy Star All Stars covering Pink Floyd twice (“Money” and “Time”), and Scala & Kolacny Brothers’ choral/vocal cover of Radiohead’s “Creep.” St. Paul & The Broken Bones’ provide some cool, smoky soul akin...
- 12/16/2014
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
Vevo CEO Rio Caraeff, who has been at the helm of the online music video destination and distribution company from its inception back in 2009 and since grown it into an industry powerhouse with more than eight billion views a month worldwide, will leave the organization once his contract is up at the end of 2014. Caraeff sent an internal memo (which you can read, in full, below) to Vevo employees announcing his imminent departure the evening of Friday, November 14, while the New York Post concurrently ran an online scoop breaking the news to the public. Vevo’s Chief Financial Officer Alan Price will take on the role of interim CEO as the company's board looks for a leader with a fresh vision (to work with Vevo’s new Vice President of Marketing, Stacy Moscatelli) and Caraeff takes some time off to “clear” his head. Vevo, the joint venture between Universal Music...
- 11/16/2014
- by Joshua Cohen
- Tubefilter.com
Vevo president/CEO Rio Caraeff is leaving the company at the end of this year, according to the New York Post. He joined the music video service in 2009. Vevo, whose biggest backers are Universal Music and Sony Music, is currently searching for a new CEO. Alan Price has been tapped as interim CEO, according to a memo sent on Friday by Caraeff, Re/code reports. Read more Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda" Breaks Vevo Record An official announcement about Caraeff’s departure is expected to arrive on Monday. Billboard has reached out to Vevo representatives for additional details. Caraeff, who appeared on Billboard's 40 Under
read more...
read more...
- 11/16/2014
- by Billboard Staff
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Bob Dylan called him his first New York muse, yet Dave Van Ronk never gained the recognition he deserved. Inside Llewyn Davis draws on his story
Poor Dave Van Ronk. He was in the right place – the Greenwich Village coffee-house scene – at the right time, doing all the right things, singing the right songs to the right people. But he just didn't have the magic. And he didn't have the luck, either.
Sometime in the 1950s, when he was a young man trying to become a folk singer, he had learned a traditional song called "House of the Rising Sun" from a pre-war field recording on which it was sung without accompaniment by a Kentucky miner's teenage daughter. Van Ronk changed it around a bit, keeping the tune and most of the words, but adding a distinctive chord sequence that made an already plaintive lament even more arresting. As his reputation grew,...
Poor Dave Van Ronk. He was in the right place – the Greenwich Village coffee-house scene – at the right time, doing all the right things, singing the right songs to the right people. But he just didn't have the magic. And he didn't have the luck, either.
Sometime in the 1950s, when he was a young man trying to become a folk singer, he had learned a traditional song called "House of the Rising Sun" from a pre-war field recording on which it was sung without accompaniment by a Kentucky miner's teenage daughter. Van Ronk changed it around a bit, keeping the tune and most of the words, but adding a distinctive chord sequence that made an already plaintive lament even more arresting. As his reputation grew,...
- 1/11/2014
- by Richard Williams
- The Guardian - Film News
Hugh Laurie could be forgiven for having a long sip on a cocktail, a big snooze on a sun lounger and the occasional phone call to check in with his accountant, following his phenomenal eight-season, Award-winning run as Doctor Gregory House.
HuffPostUK is pleased to host the exclusive livestream debut of Laurie's album 'Didn't It Rain' - click on the link above to sit back and enjoy the sounds.
But... instead, he's returned to the music studio and, following the success of his debut album which celebrated the blues of New Orleans, his new album 'Didn't It Rain' moves away from the Delta.
Hugh Laurie travels up the river to find sounds, music and people
'Didn't It Rain' sees Hugh Laurie following the trajectory of the blues upstream and into the American heartland. It includes songs dating back to early pioneers W.C. Handy ('St Louis. Blues') and Jelly Roll...
HuffPostUK is pleased to host the exclusive livestream debut of Laurie's album 'Didn't It Rain' - click on the link above to sit back and enjoy the sounds.
But... instead, he's returned to the music studio and, following the success of his debut album which celebrated the blues of New Orleans, his new album 'Didn't It Rain' moves away from the Delta.
Hugh Laurie travels up the river to find sounds, music and people
'Didn't It Rain' sees Hugh Laurie following the trajectory of the blues upstream and into the American heartland. It includes songs dating back to early pioneers W.C. Handy ('St Louis. Blues') and Jelly Roll...
- 4/23/2013
- by The Huffington Post UK
- Huffington Post
Tuesday night's (March 9) episode of "American Idol" did a great deal to help kill the opinion that the ninth season of the show has been the worst of its run. For the first time in this cycle, there were more great performances than not-so-great ones, lead by Crystal Bowersox's throaty, soulful, rugged take on Tracy Chapman's "Give Me One Reason" and Didi Benami's shuffling, groovy twist on Fleetwood Mac's "Rhiannon." Even the less-than-stellar showings from Lacey Brown, Lilly Scott and Katelyn Epperly showed promise.
Though it appears as though the competition is Bowersox's to lose, the contestant who could be the one to upend her is Siobhan Magnus, who took her quirky sensibilities and applied them to a sparse, powerful version of "The House of the Rising Sun," made famous by the Animals. The classic folk rock song took on a psychedelic twist when Animals frontman Eric Burdon took it on,...
Though it appears as though the competition is Bowersox's to lose, the contestant who could be the one to upend her is Siobhan Magnus, who took her quirky sensibilities and applied them to a sparse, powerful version of "The House of the Rising Sun," made famous by the Animals. The classic folk rock song took on a psychedelic twist when Animals frontman Eric Burdon took it on,...
- 3/10/2010
- by Kyle Anderson
- MTV Newsroom
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