It has occurred to me for some time that I would much rather rent from the likes of the Duke of Richmond than BlackRock. At least I know where he lives and can knock on his door.
I've watched this film twice: once on VHS in the 1980s and last year online. I love English country houses, fox hunts, sterling silver, and tweeds. Well, not so much killing the fox but rather dressing up and riding out and trying (or pretending to try) and do it.
My impression of the film: 'And a year later, this life was swept away.'
Today you would call what the characters felt 'normalcy bias', thinking that their way of life would never end. It is unpleasant, horrifying, really, to live at such times, but here we are.
Thank you for discussing "The Shooting Party', which is one of my favourite films. It has an incredible cast - John Geilgud , James Mason, Robert Hardy, Edward Fox, Cheryl Campbell , Judy Bowker and the brilliant Gordon Jackson - best known to many of us of a certain age as Cowley from 'The Professionals' and the butler Hudson from 'Upstairs Downstairs'. The film captures a world in its twilight. The horrors of the Great War would end that old world and the lives of a number of the characters portrayed in the film. The caring paternalism of Sir Randolph (James Mason) was already being replaced by the harsh and callous attitudes of Lord Hartlip (Edward Fox) - little wonder Hartlip's wife saw fit to be unfaithful to him. The final scene of the film, the shooting party trekking across a bleak field at the end of the day, resonates with impending doom. It makes me sad that the British film industry used to make films of this calibre and stopped. As a note for Oasis/heavy rock fans, the film was shot at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire.
Very probably! I’ve loved this film for many years and have recommended it to many people. It’s a real hidden gem and it surprises me how many people have neither heard of it nor seen it. I love it, although it makes me sad.
Dear Morgoth, you may be interested in the 1939 film 'The rules of the game'. It is also set at a weekend party at an aristocrats' country estate, though in France. Like 'The shooting party', is also set just before ww1 and the shadow hanging over the events of the film is that soon this will all be swept away by the coming catastrophe. It's a wonderful film.
Morgoth, thank you for earlier recommendation of John Yorke’s “Into the Woods: A Five-Act Journey into Story.” I read it last week and was amazed by its insights. I now see how muddled are the second acts (of a three act structure) found in modern film and books. The five-act format helps immensely in explaining the build up to and new insight gleaned after the midpoint.
I also think this format is deeply embedded in our psyche and depriving the audience of this order has caused psychological strain for many people. The most enthusiastic supporters of Woke, meandering story telling are casualties of the damage wrought by poor story structure and the lack of catharsis in seeing characters prevail. It would be interesting to see if any research has been conducted on readers and their psychological profile based on genre and quality of literature.
Yes, and I never liked the “falling action” interval phrasing after the Midpoint for Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. It’s not falling action! It’s like the darkest moment when the bad guys are seeming to be at their most powerful. It’s always very intense. Do you have any other recommendations on this type of topic?
Not particularly. I've spent many hours listening to YouTube videos and deep-dives into the subject, particularly relating to how it went wrong for George RR Martin.
Did you ever read or watch Running Blind by Desmond Bagley? The film is on YouTube. It’s a great story of a Scottish spy at the end of his career. The twist to the plot is perhaps relevant to online politics today.
Thanks Morgoth, I must watch the film.
It has occurred to me for some time that I would much rather rent from the likes of the Duke of Richmond than BlackRock. At least I know where he lives and can knock on his door.
I've watched this film twice: once on VHS in the 1980s and last year online. I love English country houses, fox hunts, sterling silver, and tweeds. Well, not so much killing the fox but rather dressing up and riding out and trying (or pretending to try) and do it.
My impression of the film: 'And a year later, this life was swept away.'
Today you would call what the characters felt 'normalcy bias', thinking that their way of life would never end. It is unpleasant, horrifying, really, to live at such times, but here we are.
It could have been you who mentioned it actually. Somebody in the comments did I think.
I might of...
Thank you for discussing "The Shooting Party', which is one of my favourite films. It has an incredible cast - John Geilgud , James Mason, Robert Hardy, Edward Fox, Cheryl Campbell , Judy Bowker and the brilliant Gordon Jackson - best known to many of us of a certain age as Cowley from 'The Professionals' and the butler Hudson from 'Upstairs Downstairs'. The film captures a world in its twilight. The horrors of the Great War would end that old world and the lives of a number of the characters portrayed in the film. The caring paternalism of Sir Randolph (James Mason) was already being replaced by the harsh and callous attitudes of Lord Hartlip (Edward Fox) - little wonder Hartlip's wife saw fit to be unfaithful to him. The final scene of the film, the shooting party trekking across a bleak field at the end of the day, resonates with impending doom. It makes me sad that the British film industry used to make films of this calibre and stopped. As a note for Oasis/heavy rock fans, the film was shot at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire.
Maybe it was you who mentioned it. I’m certain I was directed to it from here in the comments.
Very probably! I’ve loved this film for many years and have recommended it to many people. It’s a real hidden gem and it surprises me how many people have neither heard of it nor seen it. I love it, although it makes me sad.
Beautiful and apt as always Morgoth.
This beautifully written, insightful essay is worth my subscription alone.
Lovely, thank you very much.
Dear Morgoth, you may be interested in the 1939 film 'The rules of the game'. It is also set at a weekend party at an aristocrats' country estate, though in France. Like 'The shooting party', is also set just before ww1 and the shadow hanging over the events of the film is that soon this will all be swept away by the coming catastrophe. It's a wonderful film.
Oh this sounds lovely, thank you for bringing it to my attention.
Great review as well, sir.
I'll have to search that one out. Right after I've re-watched watership down. You've got a right stranglehold on me free time, moggy.
To be fair, we did Watership Down about three years ago. I ordered The Shooting Party of ebay for £4.
Price of pint gets you a lovely collection of forgotten old classics to cherish.
I have a nice collection of DVDs. I continue to collect them because I fear one day soon the films and TV series I love the most will be banned.
Morgoth, thank you for earlier recommendation of John Yorke’s “Into the Woods: A Five-Act Journey into Story.” I read it last week and was amazed by its insights. I now see how muddled are the second acts (of a three act structure) found in modern film and books. The five-act format helps immensely in explaining the build up to and new insight gleaned after the midpoint.
I also think this format is deeply embedded in our psyche and depriving the audience of this order has caused psychological strain for many people. The most enthusiastic supporters of Woke, meandering story telling are casualties of the damage wrought by poor story structure and the lack of catharsis in seeing characters prevail. It would be interesting to see if any research has been conducted on readers and their psychological profile based on genre and quality of literature.
It's also a nice pushback against the tired ''heroe's journey'' trope we see everywhere in fictional discourse these days.
Yes, and I never liked the “falling action” interval phrasing after the Midpoint for Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. It’s not falling action! It’s like the darkest moment when the bad guys are seeming to be at their most powerful. It’s always very intense. Do you have any other recommendations on this type of topic?
Not particularly. I've spent many hours listening to YouTube videos and deep-dives into the subject, particularly relating to how it went wrong for George RR Martin.
That's how I came across the Yorke book.
Did you ever read or watch Running Blind by Desmond Bagley? The film is on YouTube. It’s a great story of a Scottish spy at the end of his career. The twist to the plot is perhaps relevant to online politics today.
No, not yet.