National Heroes: British Cinema in The Seventies and Eighties

In National Heroes, film critic and historian Alexander Walker continues his exploration of British cinema, following his earlier study of the 1960s. This volume examines the dramatic transformation of the British film industry during the 1970s and 1980s — from the financially strained “hangover years” of the early seventies to the creative resurgence of the mid-eighties. Walker situates film within the broader context of British social change, politics, taxation policy, and the pressures of commercial entertainment.

Analyzing landmark films such as Get Carter and The Long Good Friday, Walker explores the rise of grittier storytelling and the shifting cultural mood of the period. He also provides insightful commentary on influential talents including Ken Russell, Derek Jarman, John Hurt, and Monty Python. Blending industry history with sharp critical assessment, National Heroes offers a compelling portrait of British cinema during a time of upheaval and renewal.

Hardcover, Very Good