England and USA Film History in 1960-1970 (Term Paper Sample)

England and USA Film History in 1960-1970
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England and USA Film History in 1960-1970
Introduction
The film industry provides a significant contribution to the economy of both England and the United States of America (USA). The industry also entertains, creates employment opportunities, increases the gross domestic product and foreign exchange, and maintains a culture of a society. The industry has significantly evolved with an important contribution to the technological advancement in media sciences. The film industries in both England and the USA have a rich history, and despite competition in the film industry being stiff especially between the two countries, England and USA have maintained themes and contents of films to get an international reputation in terms of education, entertainment, and rapid development (Thornell, 2006). The film industry has encountered several challenges in the process of development to the current status. Some of these challenges were regionally resulting in the differences in the film history between the England and the USA.
The film history of the two countries showed periods of rising business and decline, but the respective governments have offered sufficient support to the industry. Film history in England has been influenced by the progress in the USA and vice versa, in addition to the competition that has existed in the film industry. For, example Hollywood studios have contributed in the similarities observed in the history of film in England and the USA due to the investments of Hollywood studios being in both England and the USA. This investment was supported by the friendly policies that allowed free investments in the film industry. The history of films in these two countries differs in that while England controls the production sector of the film industry, the USA enjoys significant influence in the marketing and distribution sector which is very profitable compared to production. These similarities and differences are attributed to the history of films of significance between the 1960 and 1970 (Thornell, 2006). It is, therefore, important to explore the film history in England and the USA in the decade of 1960 and 1970 which is the focus of this paper. It will explore the film history of each country within the period, find similarities and differences, and conclude on the importance of the findings.
England Film History
It is always the pleasure of England films and talent winning in Oscars and other awards. We have celebrated the England films such as Ealing comedy or tragedy of Shakespeare. We want to hear it is either a film feature Colonel Blimp or James Bond, or is it about the beautiful launderette or the cute Kate Winslet. Despite liking the England films a lot, it is vital to revisit the film history in England.
The history of film in England in the 1960s started with the removal of rates put on tickets aimed at providing revenue of approximately fifty percent of every ticket sold. The step ensured that that cinema developed in the country and promoted the film production which was waning in the early 1960s (Thornell, 2006). The investment in the film industry increased with the formation of new companies, entertainment halls, and the government support.
In the period of the 1960s, there was an increase of Hollywood studios in England which flooded the country, and involved in shooting different types of films in England because the film production industry had received support from the government. The Hollywood studios got support from the American tax legislation including the provision of Eady funds, which contributed to encourage the studios to invest in England. The time witnessed some renowned directors from America moving to England and residing, in the country to run the business of the film industry. Richard Lester, Joseph Losey, and Stanley Kubrick based their work in England to develop the film industry (Thornell, 2006). In 1968, Kubrick’s work on the film ‘A Space Odyssey’ assisted in improving the status of England in the area of film production.
During the late 1960s, the USA withdrawal of sufficient support to the Hollywood studios led to a decrease in the financing in the England film production. This was because the introduction of a tax scheme known as investment tax credits in America. It reduced the capacity of film production and the England industry recorded a downfall in terms of development. The filmmakers in England tried to adapt to the new changes by turning to ‘Murder of the Orient express for film production, and some went to television based films used in television programs, for example, ‘Dad’s Army’. However, the film industry did not collapse due to the continued aids from the Eady Levy. It helped filmmakers in maintaining the rate of production but due to the difficulties experienced in the film industry the government received less revenue (Thornell, 2006). The government decided to form strategies meant to improve the film industry in order to make it profitable and successful as it used to be during the early 1960s.
The film history in England in the period of 1960s witnessed the government’s participation with a forced tax in the film exhibition, but later removed the tax, and instead supported and protected the film industry as a contributor to the country’s revenue. The film history in England showed episodes of decline despite the supportive interventions from the government; hence; some filmmakers decided to work part time in television and cinema. The history also showed that the film industry in England was influenced significantly by the American tax legislation and film industry. The similar culture and language enabled the American film directors to move and work in England, therefore, contributing in influencing the film industry in terms of the direction of development. The film history affirmed that The USA film industry was a threat to the film industry in England especially in regard to the profitable distribution and sales resulting in the government of England encouraging the Americans to produce films in England in order to diffuse the threat (Thornell, 2006). The film industry was positively influenced by the policy of encouraging foreign investments and direct association of the companies dealing with films, making film industry a major contribution to the exports, economy, and entertainment in England in the 1960s.
The history of the film industry and cinema in England compared poorly in 1960s with USA despite promoting culture, society, and national identity. The themes of the England films in 1960s included narratives of social life mixed with a visual attraction, location shooting, sexual themes, drama, and documentaries. Most films were adapted from novels or they depended a lot of stage plays. The films were a typical home drama, for example, ‘A taste of Honey’ by Richardson in 1960, ‘A King of Loving’ by Schlesinger in 1962, and ‘This Sporting Life’ by Anderson in 1963. The film history showed that it was a taboo to show abortion, unmarried mothers, illegitimacy, and sexual relationships. The local authorities in England had the permission to ban the films that did not meet their requirements. This was evidenced by the ban on the film in the first Compton Cinema presentation known as ‘private property’ by Stevens in 1960. This is because Compton Cinema was associated with private clubs and could escape rules and other forms of censorship which ensured that films with unacceptable themes were barred (Thornell, 2006).
The restrictions and strict laws caused the number of audience in cinemas to drop very fast resulting in reduced income. The two main companies that controlled the film exhibition industry in England were ABC and The Rank Organization. The film history showed that there was bias in the giving of the license in exhibition and distribution of the films despite the claim that the regulations were meant to protect the film industry. ABC and Rank were accused by British Lion, a film production company in the 1960s for favoring American films produced by Hollywood because of financial interests (Thornell, 2006). This resulted in England films performing poorly to an extent that the film industry almost collapsed when the USA legislation did not support Hollywood investments in England.
The film industry in England had themes of horror, comedy, and myths, and drama. Some of the films were imported as far as from Italy in order to satisfy the tastes of the audience. In 1960s films such as ‘The Spectre’ by Freda in 1964, ‘The Castle of Terror’ by Margheriti in 1964, ‘War of the trojans’ by Rivalta in 1964 and ‘Ulysses Against Hercules’ by Caniano also in 1964. These films led to the expansion of the film production industry in England in order to meet the public demand. The film industry was determined to produce films that will appeal to the masses in order to be economically efficient. Another strategy that promoted the films in England in 1960s was the advertisement campaign such as the ‘Saturday Night Out’ campaign launched in 1964. The films ‘Sunday Morning’ and Saturday Night Out’ of The 1960s actually changed the film industry and made the period a transition time in the film industry and made both cinema and television important in accessing films (Thornell, 2006). The period of the 1960s also changed the film industry because most films that were not accepted were given permission to be broadcast in cinema and television, hence recognizing the efforts of all filmmakers.
The films of the 1960s showed the culture of England received sufficient and wide press cover...