'That is no country for old men....Caught in that sensual music all neglect Monuments of unageing intellect.' W.B.Yeats 'Sailing To Byzantium.' 1926
Saturday, 20 February 2010
Is Britain is no longer a country for 'Angry Young Men' like Osborne, Sillitoe, Mercer and Storey ?
Left to right : Harris, Courtenay, Burton and Warner.
When I was a student at Sussex University over 40 years ago, I chose a course about the literature of the Post-Second World War ' Angry Young Men'. It was a course designed for us students by the left wing dons at Sussex.
It was a time when we reflected on 'Post- War Anger' and still felt angry about politics in particular and the world in general, in a way that I think no longer stirs students on university campuses today. Sad. I think all countries need 'Angry Young Men' to ask questions and criticise 'The System' before, they too, become part of their Establishment.
I might be wrong.
Out in front was 'Look Back In Anger'written by the late John Osborne in 1956. The film starred the late Richard Burton :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKk5gzEhphY
' The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner' in 1959 was written by the now, 82 year old Alan Sillitoe and starred the now 73 year old Tom Courtenay.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0FJdzPnUjw
Then, 'Morgan, a Suitable Case For Treatment' in 1962. Written by the late David Mercer, the film starred the now, 69 year old David Warner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNEWimL7-vw
'This Sporting Life' in 1963. Written by the now, 77 year old David Storey the film starred the late Richard Harrishttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ckb15MUOiks
And then things became less angry with 'The Knack' starring the now 68 year old, Rita Tushingham and in 1965 and 'Alfie' in 1966 starring the now, 77year old, Michael Caine.
The Knack :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ckb15MUOiks
Alfie :
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2310340889/
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