The British Heritage film

What is the course about?

This online film studies course looks at the British heritage film of the 1980s, its subsequent development and its function in the construction of a British cinema. We will note its origins in other forms of British prestige cinema, most notably the 'quality' film movement of the 1940s, its similarities and differences to other forms of costume dramas, period films and the melodrama, and its appeal for audiences, often in gendered terms. A key concern will be the heritage film's cultural function in the construction, not simply of a British cinema, but of a national identity, an essentially conservative one, drawing on notions of tradition and respectability, and functioning domestically and internationally - a characteristic which made it well suited to the prevailing social and political climate of the period in which it emerged. In this respect we will be assessing the critical debates around heritage cinema, many of which touch on class, gender and politics, as well the tone and style of the films themselves. In addition we will note the heritage style in a number of television series, such as Brideshead Revisited (1981), Downton Abbey (2010-15) and Jane Austen adaptations.

Films featured on the course:
Henry V (1944), Becket (1964), A Man for All Seasons (1966), Far From the Madding Crowd (1967), Women in Love (1969), The Go-Between (1970), Chariots of Fire (1981),The Shooting Party (1984), A Passage to India (1984), A Room with a View (1985), A Handful of Dust (1988), Howards End (1991), Orlando (1992), The Remains of the Day (1993), Sense and Sensibility (1995), Emma (1996), The Madness of King George (1995), Mrs Brown (1997), The Wings of the Dove (1997), Shakespeare in Love (1998), Paddington (2014)The Dig (2021).

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone can be used if you don't have a computer but please note the experience may be less optimal.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

• The development of the British heritage film, including its origins in earlier forms of British cinema, and its similarities and differences to costume dramas, period films
• British national cinema and other forms of
• Genre, e.g., historical/costume/period dramas, and melodrama
• British heritage film, audiences and gender
• The promotion and cultural function of the British heritage film
• Critical accounts of, and debates around, the heritage film.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Describe and assess the development of British heritage cinema, and its relationship with other, similar forms of British cinema
• Describe and evaluate the concept of British cinema in relation to the British heritage film
• Describe and assess the concept of genre in relation to the British heritage film
• Assess British heritage film in relation to audiences in terms of gender
• Describe and evaluate the promotion and function of the British heritage film
• Assess Critical accounts of, and debates around, the heritage film.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to the subject but will also be useful for those wishing to build on existing knowledge in the subject area.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Screenings of extracts from films, talks by the tutor, reading materials, small and large group discussions. It might also be a good idea to see what you can find out about the subject in advance of the class but this is not essential.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will require a pen and paper (or laptop/device) but the tutor will provide all other materials such as handouts. The tutor will show extracts from films and you do not have to obtain them.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Please look for Film Studies courses on our website at www.citylit.ac.uk/ History, Culture and Writing/Film Studies.