The Shooting Party
Encyclopedia
The Shooting Party is a 1985
film directed by Alan Bridges
and based on the book of the same name
by Isabel Colegate
. The film is set in 1913 and shows the way of life of English aristocrats, gathered for pheasant shooting and general self-indulgence. Their way of life is contrasted with the local rural poor, who serve as 'beaters', driving the game for the aristocrats to shoot. There is also an early and very genteel animal-rights/socialist activist (played by Sir John Gielgud).
) and the changes it will bring. The older standards of the gentry have slipped and they are no longer sure what they are doing or why. Traditional functions of the aristocracy are undermined by their hypocrisies, contemplations and revelations, the discontent of the lower classes and politically minded characters.
This is the last film appearance by James Mason
, who plays Sir Randolph Nettleby, the local landowner who has something of the old values. Edward Fox
as Lord Gilbert Hartlip represents the newer types who don't have the same solid beliefs: he gets into a competition over who is the best shot, despite his host's disapproval.
. "Bridges [as can be seen also in his 1982 film The Return of the Soldier
], has a special gift for these evocations of a world seen in a bell jar, and now, with Geoffrey Reeve
as producer and Fred Tammes as cinematographer, he has refined his techniques. A late bloomer (he was born in 1927), Bridges goes beyond being pictorial and literary. He sharpens the novel's wry observations on the Edwardian era and at the same time infuses a sensuous sweetness into the material. On television, a novel like The Shooting Party would be a six part series, full of longueurs. Here, after we've met the key members of the party, the movie puts us among actions and conversations going on simultaneously. And as the events become more intense Bridges picks up the pace and tightens the film's emotional hold on us. Actresses such as Cheryl Campbell
and Judi Bowker
make a stronger impression in their brief screen time than they do in their much longer stints on TV. Cheryl Campbell is at one moment a pert-faced, nosy gossip, and at the next a tantalizing sensualist being caressed by her own long, wavy blond hair. It's a quicksilver performance that recalls Joan Greenwood
at her most seductive. And Judi Bowker
as the guileless Lady Olivia, the wife of thick-headed Lord Lilburn (Robert Hardy
), looks at the camera with a direct gaze that makes her seem infinitely beautiful. When the tall, slim young barrister Lionel Stephens (Rupert Frazer), declares his love for her, you think, Of course - how could he look into her clear eyes and not imagine depths of mystery?"
1985 in film
-Events:* 3 December - Roger Moore steps down from the role of James Bond after twelve years and seven films. He is replaced by Timothy Dalton.* The Academy Award for Best Picture was won by Out Of Africa, while the highest grossing film was Back to the Future.* Bliss wins AFI Award for best Movie...
film directed by Alan Bridges
Alan Bridges
Alan Bridges is an English film and television director. He directed 40 films and television programmes between 1961 and 1991. He won the Grand Prix at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival for his film The Hireling...
and based on the book of the same name
The Shooting Party (book)
The Shooting Party is a novel by Isabel Colegate that won the 1981 WH Smith Literary Award. It was adapted into a 1985 film The Shooting Party...
by Isabel Colegate
Isabel Colegate
Isabel Diana Colegate is a British author and literary agent.She was born in Lincolnshire, the daughter of Sir Arthur and Winifred Mary Colegate, and was educated at Runton Hill School...
. The film is set in 1913 and shows the way of life of English aristocrats, gathered for pheasant shooting and general self-indulgence. Their way of life is contrasted with the local rural poor, who serve as 'beaters', driving the game for the aristocrats to shoot. There is also an early and very genteel animal-rights/socialist activist (played by Sir John Gielgud).
Analysis
There is a general feeling of the end of a way of life, as the characters go about their lives unaware of the coming war (World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
) and the changes it will bring. The older standards of the gentry have slipped and they are no longer sure what they are doing or why. Traditional functions of the aristocracy are undermined by their hypocrisies, contemplations and revelations, the discontent of the lower classes and politically minded characters.
This is the last film appearance by James Mason
James Mason
James Neville Mason was an English actor who attained stardom in both British and American films. Mason remained a powerful figure in the industry throughout his career and was nominated for three Academy Awards as well as three Golden Globes .- Early life :Mason was born in Huddersfield, in the...
, who plays Sir Randolph Nettleby, the local landowner who has something of the old values. Edward Fox
Edward Fox (actor)
Edward Charles Morice Fox, OBE is an English stage, film and television actor.He is generally associated with portraying the role of the upper-class Englishman, such as the title character in the film The Day of the Jackal and King Edward VIII in the serial Edward & Mrs...
as Lord Gilbert Hartlip represents the newer types who don't have the same solid beliefs: he gets into a competition over who is the best shot, despite his host's disapproval.
Reception
The film was reviewed positively by the eminent critic Pauline KaelPauline Kael
Pauline Kael was an American film critic who wrote for The New Yorker magazine from 1968 to 1991. Earlier in her career, her work appeared in City Lights, McCall's and The New Republic....
. "Bridges [as can be seen also in his 1982 film The Return of the Soldier
The Return of the Soldier (film)
The Return of the Soldier is a 1982 British film starring Alan Bates as Baldry and co-starring Julie Christie, Ian Holm, Glenda Jackson, and Ann-Margret about a shell-shocked officer's return from the First World War....
], has a special gift for these evocations of a world seen in a bell jar, and now, with Geoffrey Reeve
Geoffrey Reeve
-Credits as director:*Puppet on a Chain *Caravan to Vaccares *Souvenir *The Way to Dusty Death *Shadow Run -External links:...
as producer and Fred Tammes as cinematographer, he has refined his techniques. A late bloomer (he was born in 1927), Bridges goes beyond being pictorial and literary. He sharpens the novel's wry observations on the Edwardian era and at the same time infuses a sensuous sweetness into the material. On television, a novel like The Shooting Party would be a six part series, full of longueurs. Here, after we've met the key members of the party, the movie puts us among actions and conversations going on simultaneously. And as the events become more intense Bridges picks up the pace and tightens the film's emotional hold on us. Actresses such as Cheryl Campbell
Cheryl Campbell
Cheryl Campbell is an English actor of stage, film and television.-Early years:Cheryl Campbell was educated at Francis Bacon Grammar School, St Albans; London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art...
and Judi Bowker
Judi Bowker
Judi Bowker is an English television and cinema actress. Her roles include Princess Andromeda in the 1981 film version of Clash of the Titans and Saint Clare in Franco Zeffirelli's 1972 film Brother Sun, Sister Moon.-Biography:...
make a stronger impression in their brief screen time than they do in their much longer stints on TV. Cheryl Campbell is at one moment a pert-faced, nosy gossip, and at the next a tantalizing sensualist being caressed by her own long, wavy blond hair. It's a quicksilver performance that recalls Joan Greenwood
Joan Greenwood
Joan Greenwood was an English actress. Born in Chelsea, she studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Her husky voice, coupled with her slow, precise elocution, was her trademark...
at her most seductive. And Judi Bowker
Judi Bowker
Judi Bowker is an English television and cinema actress. Her roles include Princess Andromeda in the 1981 film version of Clash of the Titans and Saint Clare in Franco Zeffirelli's 1972 film Brother Sun, Sister Moon.-Biography:...
as the guileless Lady Olivia, the wife of thick-headed Lord Lilburn (Robert Hardy
Robert Hardy
Timothy Sydney Robert Hardy, CBE, FSA is an English actor with a long career in the theatre, film and television. He is also an acknowledged expert on the longbow.-Early life:...
), looks at the camera with a direct gaze that makes her seem infinitely beautiful. When the tall, slim young barrister Lionel Stephens (Rupert Frazer), declares his love for her, you think, Of course - how could he look into her clear eyes and not imagine depths of mystery?"