Book Review Special #2 (of 2) :Michael Boyce's The Lasting Influence of the War on Postwar British Film

Title: The Lasting Influence of the War on Postwar British Film
Year: 2012
Author: Michael W. Boyce
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

My first exposure to post-war British film was in 2010 in Michael W. Boyce's Introduction to Film class wherein we viewed Jules Dassin's film noir Night and the City. The lead character Harry Fabian (Richard Widmark) searches for the American Dream "A life of ease and plenty", but unfortunately does so in a tattered Britain. A year later, in his National Cinema class, we would explore this time in history further with discussions of Hue and Cry, Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, and In Which We Serve, just to name a few. 

The Lasting Influence of the War on Postwar British Film examines how the anxieties of a post World War Two British society is reflected upon the movies made during the time. 

Michael Boyce's extensive reading of postwar British Film hits many interesting subjects and themes. In his first chapter he wisely explores David Lean's Brief Encounter as it relates to the national feminine identity during the period. He then explores masculine identity, Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and even the importance of crumbling British architecture as it relates to that culture's mood. While exploring Boyce's book you'll gets a solid idea of the sensibilities at the time and a real feel for the devastating impact the war had on the "stiff upper lip". 

Such deep readings of David Lean's pictures put a novice like me to shame, as Boyce can shape out a solid commentary about important societal issues from just a few key scenes. He uses Oliver Twist and Great Expectations to talk about generational displacement. With his book he has many discussions with his readers, all argued well with thorough research involved. We never feel like he is grasping at straws and we are consistently engaged with the author every step of the way. 

The Lasting Influence of the War on Postwar British Film is a critical text worth engaging with. View the many titles Boyce hits upon first though, especially Black Narcissus & Brief Encounter. The argument I found most impressive is when he claims that these pictures are rebellious feminist films designed to challenge the domestic ideals after the war. Certainly a "must demand" for your local library.