Thursday, June 5, 2014

Announcing the British Invaders Blogathon

In celebration of A Shroud of Thoughts' 10th year of existence I have decided to hold a blogathon. The British Invaders Blogathon will celebrate the best in British classic films. While many people think of  Hollywood when they think of movies, the fact is that the United Kingdom has made many many significant contributions to film. From Alfred Hitchcock to Hammer Films to Tony Richardson, the cinema would be a poorer place without the British. I've then scheduled The British Invaders Blogathon for 1 August, 2 August, and 3 August 2014.

Before anything else, here are the ground rules.

1. Posts can be about any British film or any topic related to British films. For the sake of simplicity, I am using "British" here to refer to any film made by a company based in the United Kingdom. If you want to write about a film made in Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man, then, you can do so. Also for the sake of simplicity, people can write about co-productions made with companies from outside the United Kingdom. For example, since 2001: A Space Odyssey is a British-American co-production, someone could write about it if they chose.

2. There is no limit on subject matter. You can write about any film in any genre you want. Posts can be on everything from the British New Wave to the Gainsborough bodice rippers to the Hammer Horrors. I am also making no limit on the format posts can make. You could review classic British film, make an in-depth analysis of a series of British films, or even simply do a pictorial tribute to a film. That having been said, since this is a classic film blogathon,  I only ask that you write about films made before 1984. I don't know about others, but I generally think of a film as a classic only once it has been around thirty years.

3. I am asking that there please be no duplicates. That having been said, if someone has already chosen to cover From Russia with Love (1963), someone else could write about the James Bond series as a whole.

4. I am not going to schedule days for individual posts. All I ask is that the posts be made on or between 1 August, 2 August, or 3 August 2014.

If you want to participate in the British Invaders Blogathon, you can get a hold of me either on Twitter at mercurie80 or at my email:  mercurie80 at gmail.comt, or you can simply comment below. 

Below I is a roster of participants and the topics they are covering. Come 1 August I will make a post that will include all of the posts in the blogathon.

Movies Silently:  A Cottage On Dartmoor (1929)

Sister Celluloid: The Astonished Heart (1950)

The Kitty Packard Pictorial: The Beatles films

The Vintage Cameo: Summer Holiday (1963)

Girls Do Film: Doctor Zhivago (1965)

Once Upon a Screen: Frenzy (1972)

Classic Movie Hub: To Sir With Love (1967)

Prowler Needs a Jump: Victim (1961)

Random Pictures: Peeping Tom (1960)

The Hitless Wonder Movie Blog: The Four Feathers (1939)

Critica Retro: The Magic Box (1951)

Margaret Perry: Ealing Studios

The Rosebud Cinema: The Gold Diggers (1983)

Speakeasy: Hell Drivers (1957)

Paula's Cinema Club: The Secret History of MI6

portraitsbyjenni: Kes (1969)

Cary Grant Won't Eat You: The Red Shoes (1948)

Hitchcock's WorldZulu (1964) 

Amy's Rib: A Life in Film: The Horse's Mouth (1958)

Hitchcock's World: The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

Barry Bradford Blog: Local Hero (1983)

Thrilling Years of Yesteryear: Went the Day Well? (1932)

Not Always Movie Reviews from James Anymore : A Matter of Life and Death (1946)

Moon in Gemini:  The royal costume dramas of the Sixties

The Girl with the White Parasol: The Queen of Spades (1949)

Le Mot du Cinephiliaque:  if.... (1968)

Silver Scenes: The Chalk Garden (1964) and The Admirable Crichton (1957)

The Movie Rat: Time Bandits (1981)

filmscreed: Catch Us If You Can (1965)

Cinema Sentries: Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)

Below are several banners for participants in the blogathon to use:










71 comments:

Fritzi Kramer said...

I would like to claim A COTTAGE ON DARTMOOR, if I may. Thank you!

Terence Towles Canote said...

I got you put down for it, Fritzi! :-)

Vintage Cameo said...

Hi Terrence—I'd love to discuss "Summer Holiday" (the 1963 Cliff Richard film)!

Congratulations on your anniversary!

Emily // TheVintageCameo.com

Terence Towles Canote said...

Hi, Emily! I've gotten you down for Summer Holiday! :-)

Spiritually Cramped said...

I love this idea for a blogathon, it really does feel like British cinema is overlooked in favour of Hollywood (I'm as guilty of it as anyone!) so I'm happy for the chance to redress the balance. Please may I write about Doctor Zhivago (1965, not the more recent UK TV series!)

Spiritually Cramped said...

(my blog is http://girlsdofilm.wordpress.com/ but my google account keeps diverting to a really old account for some reason!!)

Terence Towles Canote said...

Hi Spiritually Cramped! I've got you down for Doctor Zhivago.

Unknown said...

Hi. I wonder if I could do Victim (1961).

Unknown said...

I forgot to include my blog. Duh. Prowler Needs a Jump | Films of every stripe
https://prowlerneedsajump.wordpress.com/

Terence Towles Canote said...

Thanks, Kerry! I was hoping someone would cover a Dirk Bogarde movie. He's one of my favourites. Anyway, I've gotten you down for it!

Random Pictures // Amy J said...

Hi there - I would love to do "Peeping Tom," if that's available. Thanks! Looking forward to it...

Amy (randomspicturesblog.net)

Terence Towles Canote said...

Peeping Tom is available, Amy! I'll put you down for it.

Dan Day, Jr. said...

Hi, this is Dan from The Hitless Wonder Movie Blog. I'd like to write a post on the 1939 version of "The Four Feathers".

Terence Towles Canote said...

Hi, Dan! I've gotten you down for The Four Feathers (1939)

Unknown said...

Thank you! Looking forward to it! Fun idea, Terence.

Unknown said...

May I write a post about Ealing Studios?

Terence Towles Canote said...

Of course, you may, Margaret. Which of your blogs do you want to post it to?

said...

Hi, Terence! I chose The Magic Box (1951) as my blogathon topic.
Greetings!
Le from Critica Retro

Terence Towles Canote said...

Thanks, Lê! I'll put you down for it!

Unknown said...

I would like to contribute to your blogathon and write about the British film Kes.

Terence Towles Canote said...

+Jennifer Giesey, I'll get you down for it? What is the URL for your blog?

Unknown said...

My blog is portraitsbyjenni@wordpress.com

Terence Towles Canote said...

I've gotten you down for Kes, Jennifer!

carygrantwonteatyou.com said...

Great idea for a blogathon! Has anyone grabbed The Red Shoes? I'd like that one if it hasn't been taken yet. Leah (carygrantwonteatyou.com)

Terence Towles Canote said...

Leah, The Red Shoes hasn't been taken yet, so I'll put you down for it! :-)

Silver Screenings said...

Hello! Can I join in with the British war propaganda film "The Way Ahead (1944)?

I'm at http://silverscreenings.org/

Terence Towles Canote said...

I have you down for The Way Ahead (1944)!

John Hitchcock said...

Well, this should be exciting. British Cinema happens to be an area I know very well. In fact, I already have one special article I could contribute on "Zulu":

http://hitchcocksworld.blogspot.ca/2014/04/50th-article.html

I'll have to see if I can find anything else. Maybe I could do one of the old British war films like The Bridge on the River Kwai or Lawrence of Arabia or something.

Terence Towles Canote said...

Thanks, John! I already linked to your article on Zulu, but feel free to write another article as well! I don't think anyone has done any of the British war films from the Fifties or Sixties yet, so those are all open!

Barry Bradford said...

Hi! I would love to do "Local Hero"

tracyhepburnfan said...

@tracyhepburnfan Can I do The Horse's Mouth?

Terence Towles Canote said...

Hi, Barry. I'll get you down for Local Hero. I'll need your blog URL though! :-)

Terence Towles Canote said...

tracyhepburnfan, I have you down for The Horse's Mouth!

John Hitchcock said...

How would you feel about me writing something on "The Bridge on the River Kwai"? That's a pretty big British War film. If I have time I might be able to do one or two others but I can't promise anything.

John Hitchcock said...

How would you feel about me writing something on "The Bridge on the River Kwai"? That's a pretty big British War film. If I have time I might be able to do one or two others but I can't promise anything.

Terence Towles Canote said...

John, The Bridge on the River Kwai would be perfect!

John Hitchcock said...

Wonderful. I'll start working on that. If I can find time to do one or two more I'll let you know.

John Hitchcock said...

I've got a daft of my "The Bridge on the River Kwai" article in progress, but I've actually been wondering about doing some of Kubrick's work as well. Paths of Glory is the one that immediately springs to mind but I'd be happy to do one or two others if those count.

I have also considered Lawrence of Arabia, but given the runtime of that film, I don't know if I'll have time to watch it, so I'm a bit nervous about claiming that one.

Barry Bradford said...

Terrence,

Thanks! I will be writing about Local Hero for my blog which is located at www.barrybradford.com/blog

Thanks so much!

Barry

PS - Although it is neither a movie nor a classic in the sense of age, you may enjoy my recent review of the British TV series Broadchurch.

http://barrybradford.com/broadchurch-amazing-tv-drama-unique-perspective/

Terence Towles Canote said...

Barry, I have you down for Local Hero.

I thoroughly enjoyed your review of Broadchurch. I watched it when it aired on BBC American and really liked it.

John, Paths of Glory wouldn't qualify as it is an American film. I believe Stanley Kubrick's first British film was Lolita. Now Lawrence of Arabia would qualify.

John Hitchcock said...

Was it? Okay then, my mistake. Paths of Glory is out. Sorry about that.

In that case how about Dr. Strangelove? That was technically set in America but if I remember correctly it was made after Kubrick moved to England.

Terence Towles Canote said...

Yes, you could do Dr. Strangelove! Kubrick was based in England by that point, so his subsequent films qualify.

Ivan G Shreve Jr said...

I'm in, Terry - put down for Went the Day Well?

Ivan
Thrilling Days of Yesteryear

Terence Towles Canote said...

Ivan, I've got you down for it. :-)

James said...

I would love to do A Matter of Life of Death for this blogathan of yours. Also, I will give you a link of my blog on BlogSpot on the next paragraph.

Not Always Movie Reviews From James Anymore link to website:
http://moviereviewsfromjames.blogspot.com/

Terence Towles Canote said...

James, I have you down for A Matter of Life and Death.

Debbie Vega said...

Hi, I'd love to do a post about the royal costume dramas of the 1960s - Becket, A Man For All Seasons, The Lion in Winter, Anne of the Thousand Days.

(If the post didn't run on too long, I would add Mary, Queen of Scots, even though that's the (early) 1970s, and Alfred the Great, if I can find a way to see it again--it's been a very long time.)

Thanks!

http://debravega.wordpress.com/

Terence Towles Canote said...

Hi, Debra. I have you down for it!

Aubyn said...

Hi, Terence. I've been meaning to sign up for your blogathon for ages but I haven't been able to decide on a movie. Now I think I'd like to write a post on The Queen of Spades (1949), if that works for you.

Terence Towles Canote said...

Hi, Aubryn! I'll get you down for Queen of Spades!

MP said...

Hi Terence!
I claim If... by Lindsay Anderson if its still available.
Thanks!

Michaël Parent
Le Mot du Cinephiliaque
www.lmdc.co.nr

Terence Towles Canote said...

Hi, Michael! If... is available! I'll put you down for it.

The Metzinger Sisters said...

Great idea for a blogathon! We were going to host a Brit 'thon ourselves in September but you beat us to it. Could we snag two titles for the event? Those will be The Chalk Garden ( released by Universal, but other than that all British ), and The Admirable Crichton. If The Chalk Garden doesn't count then change that title to Three Men in a Boat. Gosh, there are tooooo many great Brit flicks!

Terence Towles Canote said...

Hi, Metzinger Sisters! The Chalk Garden counts as it was a UK/US co-production! I'll put you down for it and The Admirable Crichton!

I still haven't decided what to write about myself. I'm torn between the Gainsborough bodice rippers, a British spy film, the British New Wave, or Swinging London!

Barry Bradford said...

Here is the link for Local Hero! http://wp.me/p4kzW6-XJ

Thanks,

Barry

Terence Towles Canote said...

I got the link up! Thanks, Barry!

John Hitchcock said...

I've just been wondering about maybe doing something on The Lion in Winter. I've got a copy of the movie I'll just need to find time to watch it.

Terence Towles Canote said...

John, The Lion in Winter hasn't been taken yet, so you could do it.

John Hitchcock said...

Awesome, I should be able to find some time to watch it in the next few weeks.

Silver Screenings said...

Blast! I'm very sorry but need to drop out of this blogathon. We just moved and had a bunch of relatives visit and I just cannot finish my post in time. :( This is a great blogathon idea and I really wanted to participate. However, I will try to catch as many of the entries as I can.

Terence Towles Canote said...

That's okay! I understand. I have had times when I couldn't make blog entries either! Thanks for letting me know!

Unknown said...

Sorry to nit-pick, but I won't be writing this post for margaretperrymovies - I haven't used that site in YEARS. I'll be writing at margaretperry.org. Sorry for the confusion - even I have trouble keeping it all straight sometimes! Thanks for understanding.

Terence Towles Canote said...

Thanks for letting me know,Margaret! I've got it corrected. :-)

Red Team said...

Hi Terry! I just wanted to let you know that The Astonished Heart is up, here:

http://sistercelluloid.com/2014/08/03/the-astonished-heart-the-flip-side-of-brief-encounter/

Thank you so much for including me! I can't wait to read the other posts!!

Warmest wishes,

Janet, Sister Celluloid

Debbie Vega said...

Hi, Terry! My post is up!

http://debravega.wordpress.com/2014/08/03/the-british-invaders-blogathon-the-1960s-royal-costume-dramas/#more-4300

Thanks for including me, I really enjoyed writing my post!

Terence Towles Canote said...

Thanks, Debra! I've gotten it added to the list!

Terence Towles Canote said...

Thanks, Debra!

Random Pictures // Amy J said...

Finally got my post up! Here it is:
http://randompicturesblog.net/2014/08/03/peeping-tom-1960/

Thanks for hosting. I look forward to reading the other entries!

Terence Towles Canote said...

Thanks, Amy!

Unknown said...

Sorry this is so late! I hope it still counts, even though it's past midnight on the east coast.
http://margaretperry.org/the-era-of-the-ealing-comedy/

Terence Towles Canote said...

Thank you, Margaret! I got it added to the list.