From Free Cinema to Woodfall Films: A British Revolution
As the 1960s beckoned, a new mood swept through Britain and then around the world. With anger growing at an out-of-touch establishment, the era was reflected on screen by Woodfall Films, founded in 1958 on the back of the phenomenally successful Royal Court Theatre production of “Look Back Anger”. Writer John Osborn, director Tony Richardson and producer Harry Saltzman formed Woodfall Films Co., making an incendiary brand
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This film studies course details the first time working class communities (usually ‘up North’) were depicted accurately and without condescension. The struggles of the younger generation to break free from the trappings and traditions that had restricted their parents became the basic material of, and the reason for, the progressive vision expressed by each Woodfall production. The Swinging Sixties didn’t just happen by themselves as Woodfall epitomised its times by breaking with the conventions of the polite British movie, represented in its different ways by Gainsborough and Ealing Studios.
What will we cover?
The Stories That Changed British Cinema (2018): the original actors, writers, cinematographers and crew. Oswald Morris Remembers Woodfall (1994) the cinematographer analyses the style of his Woodfall films. The Significance of Woodfall Films: close study by Tahir Latif about working class people suddenly liberated from the constraints of their previous existence as the mid-50s saw the beginning of the massive social upheaval reflected in the arts in the sixties. Woodfall was at the heart of these changes, arguably representing the highest creative and artistic point achieved by the British film industry. In terms of style, Woodfall productions drew heavily on the vogue for ‘naturalism’ and was clearly influenced by the French New Wave. Location shooting was a logical choice to depict the working class in their actual milieu. Dialogue became less ‘stagey’, and there were frequent flights of documentary-like fancy that had originated in the 1950s Free Cinema movement—the forerunner of Woodfall Films.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Describe the subject and style of the key Woodfall films.
Evaluate the output of the key Woodfall directors.
Detail how the Free Cinema led to Woodfall 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?
Please look also 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.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/from-free-cinema-to-woodfall-films-a-british-revolution2711859From Free Cinema to Woodfall Films: A British Revolutionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/third-man-HF186-1024.jpg129129GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/European film/Courses/New courses228511771580208817431228511771580<p>As the 1960s beckoned, a new mood swept through Britain and then around the world. With anger growing at an out-of-touch establishment, the era was reflected on screen by Woodfall Films, founded in 1958 on the back of the phenomenally successful Royal Court Theatre production of “Look Back Anger”. Writer John Osborn, director Tony Richardson and producer Harry Saltzman formed Woodfall Films Co., making an incendiary brand of social realist films. In A Taste of Honey or Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (both by Tony Richardson in 1961/62) and This Sporting Life (1963 Lindsay Anderson), working-class life was suddenly in the spotlight with an unheard of honesty. The same risk-taking spirit led the company to find a new generation of actors such as Albert Finney, Rita Tushingham, Richard Harris and Tom Courtenay. Films like Tom Jones (1963 Tony Richardson) then expanded Woodfall in an irreverent and colourful direction that led to ‘swinging London’ films —further securing Woodfall’s extraordinary chapter in the history of British film. From 1958 to 1984 Woodfall produced twenty award-winning, often genre-defining films. They are all here.</p>002629410From Free Cinema to Woodfall Films: A British Revolution129129https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/third-man-HF186-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-04-22T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHF039129129From Free Cinema to Woodfall Films: A British Revolution10384129John Wischmeyerfrom-free-cinema-to-woodfall-films-a-british-revolution/hf039-2526<p>As the 1960s beckoned, a new mood swept through Britain and then around the world. With anger growing at an out-of-touch establishment, the era was reflected on screen by Woodfall Films, founded in 1958 on the back of the phenomenally successful Royal Court Theatre production of “Look Back Anger”. Writer John Osborn, director Tony Richardson and producer Harry Saltzman formed Woodfall Films Co., making an incendiary brand of social realist films. In A Taste of Honey or Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (both by Tony Richardson in 1961/62) and This Sporting Life (1963 Lindsay Anderson), working-class life was suddenly in the spotlight with an unheard of honesty. The same risk-taking spirit led the company to find a new generation of actors such as Albert Finney, Rita Tushingham, Richard Harris and Tom Courtenay. Films like Tom Jones (1963 Tony Richardson) then expanded Woodfall in an irreverent and colourful direction that led to ‘swinging London’ films —further securing Woodfall’s extraordinary chapter in the history of British film. From 1958 to 1984 Woodfall produced twenty award-winning, often genre-defining films. They are all here.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-22 00:00:00<p>This film studies course details the first time working class communities (usually ‘up North’) were depicted accurately and without condescension. The struggles of the younger generation to break free from the trappings and traditions that had restricted their parents became the basic material of, and the reason for, the progressive vision expressed by each Woodfall production. The Swinging Sixties didn’t just happen by themselves as Woodfall epitomised its times by breaking with the conventions of the polite British movie, represented in its different ways by Gainsborough and Ealing Studios.</p><p>As the 1960s beckoned, a new mood swept through Britain and then around the world. With anger growing at an out-of-touch establishment, the era was reflected on screen by Woodfall Films, founded in 1958 on the back of the phenomenally successful Royal Court Theatre production of “Look Back Anger”. Writer John Osborn, director Tony Richardson and producer Harry Saltzman formed Woodfall Films Co., making an incendiary brand of social realist films. In A Taste of Honey or Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (both by Tony Richardson in 1961/62) and This Sporting Life (1963 Lindsay Anderson), working-class life was suddenly in the spotlight with an unheard of honesty. The same risk-taking spirit led the company to find a new generation of actors such as Albert Finney, Rita Tushingham, Richard Harris and Tom Courtenay. Films like Tom Jones (1963 Tony Richardson) then expanded Woodfall in an irreverent and colourful direction that led to ‘swinging London’ films —further securing Woodfall’s extraordinary chapter in the history of British film. From 1958 to 1984 Woodfall produced twenty award-winning, often genre-defining films. They are all here.</p><p><em>The Stories That Changed British Cinema</em> (2018): the original actors, writers, cinematographers and crew. <em>Oswald Morris Remembers Woodfall </em>(1994) the cinematographer analyses the style of his Woodfall films. <em>The Significance of Woodfall Films</em>: close study by Tahir Latif about working class people suddenly liberated from the constraints of their previous existence as the mid-50s saw the beginning of the massive social upheaval reflected in the arts in the sixties. Woodfall was at the heart of these changes, arguably representing the highest creative and artistic point achieved by the British film industry. In terms of style, Woodfall productions drew heavily on the vogue for ‘naturalism’ and was clearly influenced by the French New Wave. Location shooting was a logical choice to depict the working class in their actual milieu. Dialogue became less ‘stagey’, and there were frequent flights of documentary-like fancy that had originated in the 1950s Free Cinema movement—the forerunner of Woodfall Films.</p><ul><li start;="">Describe the subject and style of the key Woodfall films.</li><li start;="">Evaluate the output of the key Woodfall directors.</li><li>Detail how the Free Cinema led to Woodfall 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>Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesEuropean filmvirtual10312984HF039NONEWed22/04/26 - 13/05/2612:30 - 14:3012:3014:304 sessions (over 4 weeks)41 to 4 weeksWeekdayKSKeeley StreetJohn WischmeyerBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-04-22T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeApr 2026Culture, history & humanities129129From Free Cinema to Woodfall Films: A British Revolutionfrom-free-cinema-to-woodfall-films-a-british-revolution/hf039-2526<p>As the 1960s beckoned, a new mood swept through Britain and then around the world. With anger growing at an out-of-touch establishment, the era was reflected on screen by Woodfall Films, founded in 1958 on the back of the phenomenally successful Royal Court Theatre production of “Look Back Anger”. Writer John Osborn, director Tony Richardson and producer Harry Saltzman formed Woodfall Films Co., making an incendiary brand of social realist films. In A Taste of Honey or Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (both by Tony Richardson in 1961/62) and This Sporting Life (1963 Lindsay Anderson), working-class life was suddenly in the spotlight with an unheard of honesty. The same risk-taking spirit led the company to find a new generation of actors such as Albert Finney, Rita Tushingham, Richard Harris and Tom Courtenay. Films like Tom Jones (1963 Tony Richardson) then expanded Woodfall in an irreverent and colourful direction that led to ‘swinging London’ films —further securing Woodfall’s extraordinary chapter in the history of British film. From 1958 to 1984 Woodfall produced twenty award-winning, often genre-defining films. They are all here.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-22 00:00:00<p>This film studies course details the first time working class communities (usually ‘up North’) were depicted accurately and without condescension. The struggles of the younger generation to break free from the trappings and traditions that had restricted their parents became the basic material of, and the reason for, the progressive vision expressed by each Woodfall production. The Swinging Sixties didn’t just happen by themselves as Woodfall epitomised its times by breaking with the conventions of the polite British movie, represented in its different ways by Gainsborough and Ealing Studios.</p><p>As the 1960s beckoned, a new mood swept through Britain and then around the world. With anger growing at an out-of-touch establishment, the era was reflected on screen by Woodfall Films, founded in 1958 on the back of the phenomenally successful Royal Court Theatre production of “Look Back Anger”. Writer John Osborn, director Tony Richardson and producer Harry Saltzman formed Woodfall Films Co., making an incendiary brand of social realist films. In A Taste of Honey or Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (both by Tony Richardson in 1961/62) and This Sporting Life (1963 Lindsay Anderson), working-class life was suddenly in the spotlight with an unheard of honesty. The same risk-taking spirit led the company to find a new generation of actors such as Albert Finney, Rita Tushingham, Richard Harris and Tom Courtenay. Films like Tom Jones (1963 Tony Richardson) then expanded Woodfall in an irreverent and colourful direction that led to ‘swinging London’ films —further securing Woodfall’s extraordinary chapter in the history of British film. From 1958 to 1984 Woodfall produced twenty award-winning, often genre-defining films. They are all here.</p><p><em>The Stories That Changed British Cinema</em> (2018): the original actors, writers, cinematographers and crew. <em>Oswald Morris Remembers Woodfall </em>(1994) the cinematographer analyses the style of his Woodfall films. <em>The Significance of Woodfall Films</em>: close study by Tahir Latif about working class people suddenly liberated from the constraints of their previous existence as the mid-50s saw the beginning of the massive social upheaval reflected in the arts in the sixties. Woodfall was at the heart of these changes, arguably representing the highest creative and artistic point achieved by the British film industry. In terms of style, Woodfall productions drew heavily on the vogue for ‘naturalism’ and was clearly influenced by the French New Wave. Location shooting was a logical choice to depict the working class in their actual milieu. Dialogue became less ‘stagey’, and there were frequent flights of documentary-like fancy that had originated in the 1950s Free Cinema movement—the forerunner of Woodfall Films.</p><ul><li start;="">Describe the subject and style of the key Woodfall films.</li><li start;="">Evaluate the output of the key Woodfall directors.</li><li>Detail how the Free Cinema led to Woodfall 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>Please look also 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
