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Reviews
The Song of Songs (1973)
Classic television drama lost.
This series was magnificent but for some reason it is now lost in the BBC archives. It was beautiful and very moving. And some great acting talents were in it including the wonderful Penelope Wilton known to viewers from Ever Decreasing Circles. I believe it was made in colour but we had black and white tv in 1973. Sadly I don't think it will ever be seen again. I recall the the music theme was from Faure' s Requiem. A perfect choice. The climax was very moving when in the period it was set a character announced the Arch duke Franz Ferdinand had just been assassinated and Denholm Elliot's character cries out "has the whole world gone mad " I was emotionally shattered and I was about 18 at the time I watched it back in 1973.
In His Life: The John Lennon Story (2000)
Enchanting biopic of Lennon
I caught this years ago on a now defunct tv channel then found it on YouTube later. I have since managed to get a rare DVD of it. I have personal memories of Liverpool and the art college which I was a student at in early 80s. I love that this film was actually shot on all the genuine Liverpool locations and is a lovely Liverpool showcase. A particular scene in front of the art college stands out. I was there for three years as a student. Also the scenes in Aunt Mimi's actual house give the film an added frisson of reality for me. I love the actors chosen to embody The Beatles. The Paul McCartney is delightful. Aunt Mimi is deliciously dreadfull although you do wonder how John could have lived with such an awful woman. His mother Julia is so full of carefree joidevivre it really hurts when she is killed in an accident and makes you really feel the great loss she must have been to John. So many great moments in this film that make me love it I can't see why it is not rated much higher. I know the lack of Lennon/McCartney songs is a negative aspect. But most people watching will know all the great songs that came from them anyway. This little film made for tv is a personal favourite and I thank all responsible for making it.
The Art of Landscape (1990)
Quiet contemplation tv now gone.
This series on channel 4 in the early 90s was a haven of beauty such as we don't see anymore on tv. Films with music to contemplate and meditate upon which is no longer seen on tv today with all its noise and rubbish cluttering our minds. It also introduced us to great music. I loved it. Was it really just a form of test card to demonstrate colour tv and stereo sound ? It served its purpose and was removed. But it was serving another purpose at the same time. Contemplation and beauty to start the day. Please bring it back to our screens. Who can forget the penguin scenes to accompany Claire Hammil/Pachelbel canon. Or Tim Shelter on is flute in a mystical landscape. Or the train ride to the Scottish highlands. So many lovely moments.
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Was this a gay tragedy ?
Why did Colm suddenly reject his friend ? I think he was in love with him and in the social setting he just couldn't handle it. This gay subtext is not made explicit at all. In fact I don't know if the writer was conscious of it himself. But I felt it it made sense and it is the only reason I can think of to explain Colm's odd behavior. If it wasn't a gay tragedy at all then I just don't get it and it becomes a failure to me. I did enjoy the setting which reminds me of the brilliant J M Synge's Playboy of the Western World filmed in the 60s in an almost identical location. Just wish this one was a gay tragedy. Then I would love it.