江美丽
发表于9分钟前
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: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
般罗
发表于3分钟前
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:千术高手钱文迪(刘德华 饰)与女友莉莉(钟丽缇 饰)、好友“金手指”阿智配合,在赌局中赢得富豪刘耀祖六百万港币。发现自己被骗的刘耀祖怒不可遏,绑架阿智要挟文迪为其入狱,以便从犯人鲁宾孙(关海山 饰)手中拿回刘的三亿财产。文迪担心好友安危只得服从,入狱执行任务,进入了冤家——狱警杀手雄(梁家辉 饰)的势力范围。文迪在狱中凭借过人手段很快站稳脚跟,甚至连杀手雄也一并收服。随着文迪与鲁宾孙接触日深,他发现鲁宾孙居然是刘耀祖岳父。原来刘耀祖觊觎鲁宾孙财产多时,为此不惜将妻子杀害,鲁宾孙替女儿报仇反遭陷害,落得在牢中晚景凄凉。正义感勃发的文迪决定帮鲁宾孙讨回公道,遂联合杀手雄夺取刘耀祖的不义之财……