British Sixties Cinema: Kitchen Sink to Swinging London
Bond, Bailey, Blow-Up, British New Wave, a radical Royal Court Theatre, Free Cinema, Kitchen Sink and Swinging London films were The Sixties—an exciting, exploding period for British cinema, producing critically applauded New Wave films and actors, and popular box-office genres.
During the Sixties, a different type of film and a greater number of significant films were made in Britain than at any time before or since, from Look...
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This course explores the breakthrough of new talent in the novel, the theatre, and in film—new voices emerging from a submerged social class. British cinema in transition. The giants of previous decades, Powell and Reed, were on the wane, except for David Lean, whose Lawrence of Arabia (1962) cemented his status as the colossus of British cinema. Of the studios dominating the postwar period, only Rank at Pinewood and Associated British at Elstree survived; Balcon's Ealing and Korda's London Films had collapsed by 1958. The trickle of socially conscious films that began at the end of the 1950s became a wave. Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (Reisz, 1960) led the northern working-class focus that had already transformed British theatre and literature. By 1964 England was the entertainment capital of the world. The search for a new realism produced films of vitality and confidence such as A Taste of Honey (1961 Richardson) and A Kind of Loving (1962 Schlesinger). By the mid-60s the focus shifted to a newly ‘swinging’ London - a thriving music and fashion scene and a new breed of young actors such as Albert Finney, Alan Bates, Rita Tushingham, Tom Courtenay, Vanessa Redgrave, Richard Harris and Julie Christie. Buzz around all things British drew foreign directors to these shores such as Antonioni and Polanski. Hammer Horror, Bond, and Carry On comedies formed successful franchises. By the end of the decade, the sheen of youthful optimism was wearing off as the hippie generation recognised that naïve pacifism couldn't end Vietnam or compete with entrenched state power. May 1968 in Paris seemed to mark the beginning of genuine revolution, a feeling captured in Anderson's If.... (1969). Peace and love was turning to paranoia and despair. Performance (1968 Donald Cammell/Nicolas Roeg) showed a very unswinging London, in which the psychedelic dream had turned nightmare.
What will we cover?
Key genres revalued, e.g. Bond, spy, comedy, kitchen sink and swinging London films.
Key 60s directors detailed: Lindsay Anderson, Tony Richardson, Ken Russell, Karel Reisz, David Lean, John Schlesinger, Richard Lester, Joseph Losey and Michelangelo Antonioni.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Differentiate the key genres of the period.
Identify the key directors of sixties films.
List your own top ten sixties films.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is for students interested in the subject. Previous film study is not necessary.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Introductory lecture, large and small group discussions. No tests or outside class work necessary except reading the handouts provided.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Tutor will provide and screen extracts of films so students do not have to obtain them.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.
John Wischmeyer (MA in Film Theory) set up, ran and programmed his own cinema in West London and has since taught film studies at the former Gainsborough studio, the BFI and City Lit since 1999, Hitchcock’s centenary year. John has covered a wide range film topics under the banner ‘Cinema Investigates America’ and has a particular interest in and considerable knowledge of Hitchcock, Hollywood studios, American independent cinema and film noir, film technique and style.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/british-sixties-cinema-kitchen-sink-to-swinging-london2745113British Sixties Cinema: Kitchen Sink to Swinging Londonhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/exploring-film-genres-hf102-1080.jpg219219GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/European film22851177158020881228511771580<p>Bond, Bailey, <em>Blow-Up</em>, British New Wave, a radical Royal Court Theatre, Free Cinema, Kitchen Sink and Swinging London films were The Sixties—an exciting, exploding period for British cinema, producing critically applauded New Wave films and actors, and popular box-office genres.</p><p>During the Sixties, a different type of film and a greater number of significant films were made in Britain than at any time before or since, from <em>Look Back in Anger </em>(1959 Tony Richardson) to <em>From Russia With Love</em> (1963 Terence Young) and from <em>Darling</em> (1965 John Schlesinger) and <em>Alfie</em> (1966 Lewis Gilbert). There was a fresh and new visual extravagance. The cinema came alive.</p>002745026British Sixties Cinema: Kitchen Sink to Swinging London219219https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/exploring-film-genres-hf102-1080.jpgInStockEveningMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-04-27T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHF013219219British Sixties Cinema: Kitchen Sink to Swinging London219142219John Wischmeyerbritish-sixties-cinema-kitchen-sink-to-swinging-london/hf013-2526<p>Bond, Bailey, <em>Blow-Up</em>, British New Wave, a radical Royal Court Theatre, Free Cinema, Kitchen Sink and Swinging London films were The Sixties—an exciting, exploding period for British cinema, producing critically applauded New Wave films and actors, and popular box-office genres.</p><p>During the Sixties, a different type of film and a greater number of significant films were made in Britain than at any time before or since, from <em>Look Back in Anger </em>(1959 Tony Richardson) to <em>From Russia With Love</em> (1963 Terence Young) and from <em>Darling</em> (1965 John Schlesinger) and <em>Alfie</em> (1966 Lewis Gilbert). There was a fresh and new visual extravagance. The cinema came alive.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-27 00:00:00<p>This course explores the breakthrough of new talent in the novel, the theatre, and in film—new voices emerging from a submerged social class. British cinema in transition. The giants of previous decades, Powell and Reed, were on the wane, except for David Lean, whose Lawrence of Arabia (1962) cemented his status as the colossus of British cinema. Of the studios dominating the postwar period, only Rank at Pinewood and Associated British at Elstree survived; Balcon's Ealing and Korda's London Films had collapsed by 1958. The trickle of socially conscious films that began at the end of the 1950s became a wave. Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (Reisz, 1960) led the northern working-class focus that had already transformed British theatre and literature. By 1964 England was the entertainment capital of the world. The search for a new realism produced films of vitality and confidence such as A Taste of Honey (1961 Richardson) and A Kind of Loving (1962 Schlesinger). By the mid-60s the focus shifted to a newly ‘swinging’ London - a thriving music and fashion scene and a new breed of young actors such as Albert Finney, Alan Bates, Rita Tushingham, Tom Courtenay, Vanessa Redgrave, Richard Harris and Julie Christie. Buzz around all things British drew foreign directors to these shores such as Antonioni and Polanski. Hammer Horror, Bond, and Carry On comedies formed successful franchises. By the end of the decade, the sheen of youthful optimism was wearing off as the hippie generation recognised that naïve pacifism couldn't end Vietnam or compete with entrenched state power. May 1968 in Paris seemed to mark the beginning of genuine revolution, a feeling captured in Anderson's If.... (1969). Peace and love was turning to paranoia and despair. Performance (1968 Donald Cammell/Nicolas Roeg) showed a very unswinging London, in which the psychedelic dream had turned nightmare.</p><p>Bond, Bailey, <em>Blow-Up</em>, British New Wave, a radical Royal Court Theatre, Free Cinema, Kitchen Sink and Swinging London films were The Sixties—an exciting, exploding period for British cinema, producing critically applauded New Wave films and actors, and popular box-office genres.</p><p>During the Sixties, a different type of film and a greater number of significant films were made in Britain than at any time before or since, from <em>Look Back in Anger </em>(1959 Tony Richardson) to <em>From Russia With Love</em> (1963 Terence Young) and from <em>Darling</em> (1965 John Schlesinger) and <em>Alfie</em> (1966 Lewis Gilbert). There was a fresh and new visual extravagance. The cinema came alive.</p><ul><li start;="">Key genres revalued, e.g. Bond, spy, comedy, kitchen sink and swinging London films.</li><li start;="">Key 60s directors detailed: Lindsay Anderson, Tony Richardson, Ken Russell, Karel Reisz, David Lean, John Schlesinger, Richard Lester, Joseph Losey and Michelangelo Antonioni.</li></ul><ul><li start;="">Differentiate the key genres of the period.</li><li>Identify the key directors of sixties films.</li><li>List your own top ten sixties films.</li></ul><p>This course is for students interested in the subject. Previous film study is not necessary.</p><p text-align:start="">Introductory lecture, large and small group discussions. No tests or outside class work necessary except reading the handouts provided.</p><p>Tutor will provide and screen extracts of films so students do not have to obtain them.</p><p>Look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesEuropean filmvirtual2745029British Sixties Cinema: Kitchen Sink to Swinging London279279https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/exploring-film-genres-hf102-1080.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekday2026-04-27T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHF337279279British Sixties Cinema: Kitchen Sink to Swinging London223181279John Wischmeyerbritish-sixties-cinema-kitchen-sink-to-swinging-london/hf337-2526<p>Bond, Bailey, <em>Blow-Up</em>, British New Wave, a radical Royal Court Theatre, Free Cinema, Kitchen Sink and Swinging London films were The Sixties—an exciting, exploding period for British cinema, producing critically applauded New Wave films and actors, and popular box-office genres.</p><p>During the Sixties, a different type of film and a greater number of significant films were made in Britain than at any time before or since, from <em>Look Back in Anger</em> (1959 Tony Richardson) to <em>From Russia With Love </em>(1963 Terence Young) and from <em>Darling</em> (1965 John Schlesinger) and <em>Alfie</em> (1966 Lewis Gilbert). There was a fresh and new visual extravagance. The cinema came alive.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-27 00:00:00<p>This course explores the breakthrough of new talent in the novel, the theatre, and in film—new voices emerging from a submerged social class. British cinema in transition. The giants of previous decades, Powell and Reed, were on the wane, except for David Lean, whose Lawrence of Arabia (1962) cemented his status as the colossus of British cinema. Of the studios dominating the postwar period, only Rank at Pinewood and Associated British at Elstree survived; Balcon's Ealing and Korda's London Films had collapsed by 1958. The trickle of socially conscious films that began at the end of the 1950s became a wave. Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (Reisz, 1960) led the northern working-class focus that had already transformed British theatre and literature. By 1964 England was the entertainment capital of the world. The search for a new realism produced films of vitality and confidence such as A Taste of Honey (1961 Richardson) and A Kind of Loving (1962 Schlesinger). By the mid-60s the focus shifted to a newly ‘swinging’ London - a thriving music and fashion scene and a new breed of young actors such as Albert Finney, Alan Bates, Rita Tushingham, Tom Courtenay, Vanessa Redgrave, Richard Harris and Julie Christie. Buzz around all things British drew foreign directors to these shores such as Antonioni and Polanski. Hammer Horror, Bond, and Carry On comedies formed successful franchises. By the end of the decade, the sheen of youthful optimism was wearing off as the hippie generation recognised that naïve pacifism couldn't end Vietnam or compete with entrenched state power. May 1968 in Paris seemed to mark the beginning of genuine revolution, a feeling captured in Anderson's If.... (1969). Peace and love was turning to paranoia and despair. Performance (1968 Donald Cammell/Nicolas Roeg) showed a very unswinging London, in which the psychedelic dream had turned nightmare.</p><p>Bond, Bailey, <em>Blow-Up</em>, British New Wave, a radical Royal Court Theatre, Free Cinema, Kitchen Sink and Swinging London films were The Sixties—an exciting, exploding period for British cinema, producing critically applauded New Wave films and actors, and popular box-office genres.</p><p>During the Sixties, a different type of film and a greater number of significant films were made in Britain than at any time before or since, from <em>Look Back in Anger</em> (1959 Tony Richardson) to <em>From Russia With Love </em>(1963 Terence Young) and from <em>Darling</em> (1965 John Schlesinger) and <em>Alfie</em> (1966 Lewis Gilbert). There was a fresh and new visual extravagance. The cinema came alive.</p><ul><li start;="">Key genres revalued, e.g. Bond, spy, comedy, kitchen sink and swinging London films.</li><li>Key 60s directors detailed: Lindsay Anderson, Tony Richardson, Ken Russell, Karel Reisz, David Lean, John Schlesinger, Richard Lester, Joseph Losey and Michelangelo Antonioni.</li></ul><ul><li start;="">Differentiate the key genres of the period.</li><li>Identify the key directors of sixties films.</li><li>List your own top ten sixties films.</li></ul><p text-align:start="">This course is for students interested in the subject. Previous film study is not necessary.</p><p>Introductory lecture, large and small group discussions. No tests or outside class work necessary except reading the handouts provided.</p><p>Tutor will provide and screen extracts of films so students do not have to obtain them.</p><p>Look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesEuropean filmvirtual219,223219,279142,181HF013,HF337NONEMon27/04/26 - 20/07/2618:00 - 19:3018:0019:3011 sessions (over 13 weeks)1111 weeks or longerEvening,DaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetJohn WischmeyerBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-04-27T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanities219219,279British Sixties Cinema: Kitchen Sink to Swinging Londonbritish-sixties-cinema-kitchen-sink-to-swinging-london/hf013-2526,british-sixties-cinema-kitchen-sink-to-swinging-london/hf337-2526<p>Bond, Bailey, <em>Blow-Up</em>, British New Wave, a radical Royal Court Theatre, Free Cinema, Kitchen Sink and Swinging London films were The Sixties—an exciting, exploding period for British cinema, producing critically applauded New Wave films and actors, and popular box-office genres.</p><p>During the Sixties, a different type of film and a greater number of significant films were made in Britain than at any time before or since, from <em>Look Back in Anger </em>(1959 Tony Richardson) to <em>From Russia With Love</em> (1963 Terence Young) and from <em>Darling</em> (1965 John Schlesinger) and <em>Alfie</em> (1966 Lewis Gilbert). There was a fresh and new visual extravagance. The cinema came alive.</p>,<p>Bond, Bailey, <em>Blow-Up</em>, British New Wave, a radical Royal Court Theatre, Free Cinema, Kitchen Sink and Swinging London films were The Sixties—an exciting, exploding period for British cinema, producing critically applauded New Wave films and actors, and popular box-office genres.</p><p>During the Sixties, a different type of film and a greater number of significant films were made in Britain than at any time before or since, from <em>Look Back in Anger</em> (1959 Tony Richardson) to <em>From Russia With Love </em>(1963 Terence Young) and from <em>Darling</em> (1965 John Schlesinger) and <em>Alfie</em> (1966 Lewis Gilbert). There was a fresh and new visual extravagance. The cinema came alive.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-27 00:00:00<p>This course explores the breakthrough of new talent in the novel, the theatre, and in film—new voices emerging from a submerged social class. British cinema in transition. The giants of previous decades, Powell and Reed, were on the wane, except for David Lean, whose Lawrence of Arabia (1962) cemented his status as the colossus of British cinema. Of the studios dominating the postwar period, only Rank at Pinewood and Associated British at Elstree survived; Balcon's Ealing and Korda's London Films had collapsed by 1958. The trickle of socially conscious films that began at the end of the 1950s became a wave. Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (Reisz, 1960) led the northern working-class focus that had already transformed British theatre and literature. By 1964 England was the entertainment capital of the world. The search for a new realism produced films of vitality and confidence such as A Taste of Honey (1961 Richardson) and A Kind of Loving (1962 Schlesinger). By the mid-60s the focus shifted to a newly ‘swinging’ London - a thriving music and fashion scene and a new breed of young actors such as Albert Finney, Alan Bates, Rita Tushingham, Tom Courtenay, Vanessa Redgrave, Richard Harris and Julie Christie. Buzz around all things British drew foreign directors to these shores such as Antonioni and Polanski. Hammer Horror, Bond, and Carry On comedies formed successful franchises. By the end of the decade, the sheen of youthful optimism was wearing off as the hippie generation recognised that naïve pacifism couldn't end Vietnam or compete with entrenched state power. May 1968 in Paris seemed to mark the beginning of genuine revolution, a feeling captured in Anderson's If.... (1969). Peace and love was turning to paranoia and despair. Performance (1968 Donald Cammell/Nicolas Roeg) showed a very unswinging London, in which the psychedelic dream had turned nightmare.</p><p>Bond, Bailey, <em>Blow-Up</em>, British New Wave, a radical Royal Court Theatre, Free Cinema, Kitchen Sink and Swinging London films were The Sixties—an exciting, exploding period for British cinema, producing critically applauded New Wave films and actors, and popular box-office genres.</p><p>During the Sixties, a different type of film and a greater number of significant films were made in Britain than at any time before or since, from <em>Look Back in Anger </em>(1959 Tony Richardson) to <em>From Russia With Love</em> (1963 Terence Young) and from <em>Darling</em> (1965 John Schlesinger) and <em>Alfie</em> (1966 Lewis Gilbert). There was a fresh and new visual extravagance. The cinema came alive.</p>,<p>Bond, Bailey, <em>Blow-Up</em>, British New Wave, a radical Royal Court Theatre, Free Cinema, Kitchen Sink and Swinging London films were The Sixties—an exciting, exploding period for British cinema, producing critically applauded New Wave films and actors, and popular box-office genres.</p><p>During the Sixties, a different type of film and a greater number of significant films were made in Britain than at any time before or since, from <em>Look Back in Anger</em> (1959 Tony Richardson) to <em>From Russia With Love </em>(1963 Terence Young) and from <em>Darling</em> (1965 John Schlesinger) and <em>Alfie</em> (1966 Lewis Gilbert). There was a fresh and new visual extravagance. The cinema came alive.</p><ul><li start;="">Key genres revalued, e.g. Bond, spy, comedy, kitchen sink and swinging London films.</li><li start;="">Key 60s directors detailed: Lindsay Anderson, Tony Richardson, Ken Russell, Karel Reisz, David Lean, John Schlesinger, Richard Lester, Joseph Losey and Michelangelo Antonioni.</li></ul>,<ul><li start;="">Key genres revalued, e.g. Bond, spy, comedy, kitchen sink and swinging London films.</li><li>Key 60s directors detailed: Lindsay Anderson, Tony Richardson, Ken Russell, Karel Reisz, David Lean, John Schlesinger, Richard Lester, Joseph Losey and Michelangelo Antonioni.</li></ul><ul><li start;="">Differentiate the key genres of the period.</li><li>Identify the key directors of sixties films.</li><li>List your own top ten sixties films.</li></ul><p>This course is for students interested in the subject. Previous film study is not necessary.</p>,<p text-align:start="">This course is for students interested in the subject. Previous film study is not necessary.</p><p text-align:start="">Introductory lecture, large and small group discussions. No tests or outside class work necessary except reading the handouts provided.</p>,<p>Introductory lecture, large and small group discussions. No tests or outside class work necessary except reading the handouts provided.</p><p>Tutor will provide and screen extracts of films so students do not have to obtain them.</p><p>Look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesEuropean filmconfigurable
20881580European filmhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/film-studies/european-film1/2/285/1177/1580/20881/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/European film
