'Crown Jubilee' : The Golden Ages Of Great British Cinema

Reports are now emerging regarding some of the planned festivities in honour of Queen Elizabeth II whose platinum jubilee bash is set to engulf the nation. Ed Sheeran is no stranger to multi-platinum record sales and multi-streams and he's said to be solid frontrunner to step up and perform the national anthem. Sir Cliff Richard is rumoured to be a guest of honour and could be joined by a glittering line-up of national treasures keen to kneel before the monarchy. Organisers are promoting this star-studded event as the “People's Pageant".

Comedian Bill Bailey, footballer Gary Lineker, dancer Jayne Torvill and gardener Alan Titchmarsh are all said to be interested in appearing at the event. There are also rumours being circulated online that actors Jeremy Irons and Tom Cruise may be present.

We've been gifted an extra public holiday for these celebrations. So here in U K, there'll be a 4-day bank holiday weekend that runs from Thursday 2nd June to Sunday 5th June. While some people will inevitably still have to work, hopefully most people will get at least some time off work across the 4 day period.

I've been to Ascot in Berkshire, though not for the horse racing it's famous for. A lot of British films have been shot in different parts of Berkshire.

I had to decide between including Tim Burstall or Charlie Chaplin but it was really no choice at all. Burstall's films I find much funnier and he doesn't tug the sentimental heartstrings in such a manipulative fashion as the cloying little tramp. Like Alan Arkin, I like Chaplin but don't love Chaplin. Box-office smash 'Alvin Purple' is awesome and he co-scripted the sequel 'Alvin Rides Again' (1974).

Michael Winner was a terrific genre director to my mind, though some critics consider him "it' so bad it's good" or crap, like Burstall and others on my list.

"The People's Pageant", as it is to be known, will document the entire reign of Queen Elizabeth II (thus far). The organisers of this showpiece event are working hand in hand with senior British establishment figures to ensure a festive banquet is served that is fit for a Queen. To this end, world-renowned, celebrity chefs Heston Blumenthal, James Martin and Gok Wan shall all be present, overseeing a dining experience that is set to be crowned by its diversity of palate.

Since beginning her dramatic rise to prominence in the mid-1980s, actress Helena Bonham Carter (26 May 1966, Islington, London) has enjoyed a storied career that's led to successes across the decades. Her fellow Islington girl Emily Watson (14 January 1967, Islington, London) has similarly made a seamless transition to playing character roles, having blazed a scorched trail through the environs of art cinema in the 1990s. They remain two of England's finest actresses working today.

English actresses like Sammi Davis (21 June 1964, Kidderminster, Worcestershire), Patsy Kensit (4 March 1968, Lambeth, London) and Emily Lloyd (29 September 1970, Islington, London) found success in the 1980s which then carried over to the 1990s. Westminster girls Minnie Driver (31 January 1970, Westminster, London) and Thandie Newton (6 November 1972, Westminster, London) have built successful film careers for themselves since starting out in cinema in the early 1990s. Tara Fitzgerald (18 September 1967, Cuckfield, Sussex) and Georgina Cates (14 January 1975, Colchester, Essex) worked steadily in cinema throughout the 1990s, but have concentrated more on commitments to theatre and television since the turn of the century. IMDB2 Film General messageboard favourite Kate Beckinsale (26 July 1973, Chiswick, London) became a major television star in the 1990s, like her father before her (comic actor Richard Beckinsale), carving out a formidable film career this century.

Among the English actresses who made their big screen debuts in the second half of the 1990s, faring particularly well this century, to my mind, have been Emily Mortimer (6 October 1971, Hammersmith, London), Kate Winslet (5 October 1975, Reading, Berkshire), Emily Booth (26 April 1976, Chester, Cheshire), Anna Friel (12 July 1976, Rochdale, Lancashire) and Samantha Morton (13 May 1977, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire). Rosamund Pike (27 January 1979, Hammersmith, London) worked in television in the late 1990s before being cast in her big screen debut as a Bond girl for the 007 spy franchise smash, 'Die Another Day' (2002). Naomie Harris (6 September 1976, Islington, London) appeared in television roles as far back as the 1980s; she finally made her mark in film when director Danny Boyle cast her in the hit franchise-starter '28 Days Later' (2002).

I think the future's looking bright once again for us here in England, what with movie actresses like Ruth Wilson (13 January 1982, Ashford, Surrey), Emily Blunt (23 February 1983, Wandsworth, London), Felicity Jones (17 October 1983, Birmingham, West Midlands), Keira Knightley (26 March 1985, Teddington, London), Carey Mulligan (28 May 1985, Westminster, London), Gemma Arterton (2 February 1986, Gravesend, Kent), Imogen Poots (3 June 1989, Hammersmith, London), Juno Temple (21 July 1989, Hammersmith, London) and Olivia Cooke (27 December 1993, Oldham, Lancashire) all currently reaching for the giddy heights. And then there's IMDB2 Film General messageboard favourite Emma Watson who was born in Paris, France ...

I'm no historian when it comes to the Royal Family but I've done a bit of reading over the years. As far as I'm aware, Princess Elizabeth embarked upon her first major overseas tour in 1947 when she accompanied her parents on a controversial trip through southern Africa. Apparently, it was during this tour that she famously proclaimed : "I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong." This has been quoted by broadcast journalists and royalists ever since as proof that she chose to dedicate her entire life to national service.

Princess Elizabeth toured north America in 1951 and Oceania in 1952. She also returned to Africa in 1952, which was the year she was suddenly and dramatically anointed Queen Elizabeth II. The British Empire was in an ongoing process of being transitioned in to a new body named the Commonwealth of Nations. By the time of her accession, Elizabeth was already being prepared to serve as head of numerous independent states.

In 1953, Queen Elizabeth II set out on her most ambitious tour yet, dubbed the "round-the-world tour". She travelled on land, on sea, and through the air, becoming the first reigning British monarch to visit certain nations. She was greeted by enormous crowds everywhere she went.

The Queen has continued to make state visits throughout her royal reign. Today, she is often said to be the most widely travelled head of state among those who are currently active.

World War 2 is sometimes recognised as having been brought to an official end on 8 May, 1945. Fighting did continue in the immediate days afterwards, as a period of liberation began. One of the first babies born in England as peacetime took hold was to be actress Francesca Annis (14 May 1945, Kensington, London). In the months that followed, Annis was joined by such contemporaries as Suzanna Leigh (26 July 1945, Reading, Berkshire) and Helen Mirren (26 July 1945, Hammersmith, London) who were born on the same day.

The world was now a different place. The true extent of the horrors perpetrated during this intensely bloody global conflict were now coming to light. Even some battle-hardened veterans were being left in an extreme state of shock by the sheer brutality of what had taken place. Hayley Mills (18 April 1946, Marylebone, London), Luan Peters (18 June 1946, Bethnal Green, London) and Jacki Piper (3 August 1946, Birmingham, Warwickshire) were born in 1946. They would go on to become shining lights during the great decade of change, the 1960s, yet the situation they were born in to was the aftermath of a great war.

In the years that Princess Elizabeth served to open up English eyes to a brave new world, a future generation of performers was being born in Britain. These women would one day become cornerstones of the miniskirt revolution. Cheryl Kennedy (29 April 1947, Enfield, Middlesex) was one of the first to set foot on English soil. Caroline Munro (16 January 1949, Windsor, Berkshire), Felicity Devonshire (29 May 1949, Islington, London), Jenny Agutter (20 December 1952, Taunton, Somerset), Linda Hayden (19 January 1953, Stanmore, Middlesex), Judi Bowker (6 April 1954, Shawford, Hampshire) and Lynne Frederick (25 July 1954, Hillingdon, Middlesex) were all born during this time of rebuilding, recompense and restitution. Sister acts born in this period included Sussex girls Judy Geeson (10 September 1948, Arundel, Sussex) & Sally Geeson (23 June 1950, Cuckfield, West Sussex) and Essex girls Vicki Michelle (14 December 1950, Chigwell, Essex) & Ann Michelle (11 August 1952, Chigwell, Essex).

Singers who successfully doubled as actresses, like Vanessa Howard (10 October 1948, Shoreham-By-Sea, West Sussex), Lulu (3 November 1948, Lennoxtown, Stirlingshire) and Adrienne Posta (24 March 1949, Hampstead, London), were also born after the 2nd World War.

Some performers were born overseas, and sometimes due to military interests. For example, Susan Penhaligon (3 July 1949, Manila, Philippines) and Pamela Franklin (3 February 1950, Yokohama, Japan) were both born in Asia. Twin sisters Madeline Collinson (22 July 1952, Silema, Malta) & Mary Collinson (22 July 1952, Silema, Malta) were both born in the Mediterranean. During the fashion revolution, actresses like Sandra Dickinson (20 October 1948, Washington, D.C., U.S.) and Pamela Stephenson (4 December 1949, Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand) were welcomed in Britain with open arms having arrived from overseas.

One of the most important filmmakers to emerge during this period was David Lean who had a reputation as one of England's finest editors. I believe it was while Lean was editing Michael Powell's war pictures '49th Parallel' (1941) and 'One Of Our Aircraft Is Missing' (1942) that he became friendly with composer and playwright Noel Coward who would visit the sets. It may have come as something of a shock to an avowed snob and classist like Coward to learn that Lean could benefit him by lending his budding directorial talent to the propaganda piece, 'In Which We Serve' (1942). Filmmakers Richard Attenborough, Michael Anderson, Guy Green and Ronald Neame were all involved in the making of this patriotic work, though in different capacities. This union between Coward and Lean proved to be fruitful and they collaborated further on 'This Happy Breed' (1944), 'Blithe Spirit' (1945) and 'Brief Encounter' (1945). These are films that became the bedrock of Britain's path back to prosperousness.

With the dissolution of their creative partnership, Lean set about making films that were considered as being far from the ravages of war. To begin, he created two stunning works of cinematic art based on novels by Charles Dickens and in doing so shone a light upon problems caused by corruption, destitution and inequality. If I were to ever be appointed Minister for Education here in the U K, I would confer upon schools that 'Great Expectations' (1946) and 'Oliver Twist' (1948) be prescribed to all pupils as mandatory viewings.

Shipbuilding in 'In Which We Serve' and steel manufacturing in 'This Happy Breed' provided an industrial core for Noel Coward's patriotic bluster and acidic social satire. David Lean collaborated with playwright Terence Rattigan on the aviation drama 'The Sound Barrier' (1952) which stretched his technical prowess to the limit. This film was released on 22 July, 1952. Just last year, it was selected by Martin Scorsese to be included on a list of "50 must-see British movies" when he was invited to serve as guest curator for Quentin Tarantino and Edgar Wright's movie club. If you're looking for a film to watch for the Platinum Jubilee weekend, this is my open and sincere recommendation to you all.

I love 'The Third Man'. A great British movie.

I've seen 'Scorpio' (1973) in the tv listings, I'll try and record it if it's shown again. Thanks for the clip (and recommendation). I enjoy Michael Winner's western 'Lawman' (1971) with Burt Lancaster.

Though I enjoy the music and (especially) editing in his films generally, I think I understand your criticism as I've heard others criticise Michael Winner's use of sound and music as being loud and intrusive. The music scores composed by Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones for the 'Death Wish' series and the slasher 'Scream For Help' (1984) could serve as a test case here as some people feel they possess the subtlety of a sledgehammer while I find them pumped as all get-out.