Sixty Glorious Years is an exercise in the creation of iconography, both for Victoria and its star...
Sixty Glorious Years is an exercise in the creation of iconography, both for Victoria and its star, Anna Neagle (who subsequently became known as 'Regal Neagle'). Just as Elizabeth I commissioned artists to create flattering iconic images for public consumption, so this film performs a similar function, for Neagle is more beautiful than the real life Victoria. Controversial events (such as the 'Irish problem') are omitted and unpleasant aspects of Victoria's character (her petulance, arrogance, favouritism and 'right to privilege') are glossed over as endearing little 'whims'. Albert acts as a moderating influence when she goes too far.
The film followed a year after the highly successful Victoria the Great (d. Herbert Wilcox, 1937). Again the screenplay is by Miles Malleson and Robert Vansittart, and many of the supporting cast (the cream of acting talent of period) repeat their roles, this time for the colour cameras. This was the first full length Technicolor film of cinematographer Freddie Young, who captures the spectacle of royal weddings, grand balls and opulent interiors, with scenes actually filmed at royal palaces. Vivid battle scenes, set in Alexander Korda's empire territory (Sevastopol and the Sudan), rival those in The Four Feathers (d. Zoltan Korda 1939).
The title music sets the tone: a regal choir sings over a shot of the crown. Elgar's 1901 'Pomp and Circumstance' march is heard during the diamond jubilee celebrations and, as Victoria's coffin lies in state, the film concludes with Anthony Collins' stately music accompanied by the text of Rudyard Kipling's 'Lest we forget'. Combined with the emotional appeal of scenes of Victoria connecting with her 'ordinary folk', this is stirring stuff.
The film connects with contemporary events of 1938. The release of two celebratory royal films was intended to boost public affection for the monarchy in the wake of Edward VIII's abdication. Anglo-German relations were another touchy subject. With another war on the horizon, influential voices wanted appeasement, and the film could be seen to fit that agenda. Victoria herself was of mainly German descent, nicknamed 'the grandmother of Europe', while Albert is a 'good German', charmingly played by Anton Walbrook as a cultured, decent man.
Sixty Glorious Years now seems unduly formal and reverential. Had movies existed during Victoria's reign (they only emerged at the end) this might have been the kind of film produced. Unlike Mrs Brown (d. John Madden, 1997), it is all so very 'Victorian'.
Roger Philip Mellor
木村拓哉,大杉涟,织田裕二,妻夫木聪,齐藤由贵
格伦·克洛斯,英格瓦·埃盖特·西古德松,安德斯·丹尼尔森·李,佩卡·斯特朗,索菲亚·海基拉,埃米莉·马修斯
玛洛·赫比齐,伊迪尔·阿祖格利,安德丽·贝斯孔,Ashley Romano,亚历克西斯·曼蒂,Kilia Fernane,Léa Gorla,Alexandra Noisier,安东尼娅·布雷西,Sandra Bijou,Francesca Giromella,纪尧姆·维迪尔,Gaëtan Thomas,Jean-Jacques Rouvière,Mohamed Mallek,Rahimo Dennoun,Michael Yardimci,Hakim Bousnina,Maïssa Sabirh,Mahé
罗曼·杜里斯,茱迪丝·谢拉,Mei Cirne-Masuki,Tsuyu,内田春菊,Yumi Narita,帕特里克·德康,阿部进之介
仪铭,陈佩玲,龍宣,杨惠姗,万山,江彬,张复民,李影
萩原利久,藤堂日向,井浦新