The Shooting Party (1985)

shows the decline of the aristocracy??? irony???

when i saw this movie, on both occasions, i found it remarkable how sympathetic and non-judgemental it is of the aristocracy early in the century. some reviewers think the movie contains clues to the decline of the aristocacy. but it does nothing of the kind.

no, the aristocracy didn't decline because they liked to shoot game instead of buying it from mcdonald's. nor was the decline caused by their enjoyment of fine dining and nice wardrobes. nor do they seem at all spoiled by their class privileges.

the main characters are, for the most part, people who thoroughly believe in decency, tolerance, and are never condescending. and we know from the ending of the movie that so many of these same people at the shooting party lost their lives in the coming war, no differently than many a poor subject did.

the war had a part in the decline because it was very costly to the aristos. but mainly the decline was because of the rise of the socialists and their tax policies. so study history dear reviewers. study life. do not be ignorant. you will find this movie so much more interesting.

and very unusual in that it has none of the cliches (irony, snobbishness, classism) that so many think it must have, but just doesn't. please see the movie. July 26, 2008

the shooting party

an elegant depiction of english country life before the high tech world. a poignant look at family interactions in the upper middle classes. June 23, 2008

Finally on DVD.

Beautiful DVD starring James Mason as an aging Lord in Edwardian England.

It includes a stellar cast with names of the caliber of John Gielgud and Gordon Jackson.

The story shows the decline of the old Aristocracy in England, at the beginning of the 20th Century.

Last movie (at least as far as I know) by veteran James Mason, before he died, he still could catch your attention and keep you interested in the way he was working.

The transfer is the best one I have seen as yet. So is also the soundtrack which is very clear and has a beautiful score by John Scott.

For those who love good old British movies, the way they were made, when this still meant high standards at a low budget. June 21, 2008

Yummy

I caught this movie on late-night TV one time, and wanted to own it. I hesitated to buy the original DVD because of the negative comments about the quality of the transfer.

I just got the new DVD and I'm watching it right now. It's like taking a bath in pure Englishness. The color is perfect English autumn - washed-out, foggy, muted, and the sound is perfect. James Mason is perfect as the tired, end-of-an-era lord, while Sir John Gielgud is perfect as the upcoming liberal society. In the two of them you see the end of one epoch and the beginning of another. All that's missing is the transition, and it's about to arrive - in the form of WWI.

This is one lovely movie. June 21, 2007

Simply fabulous!

I have to say immediately that I have no technical knowlege concerning this DVD. I know absolutely nothing about film technology. All I can say is that I now own this movie in the DVD version by the BBC and it is simply fabulous. I never saw this either in a movie theatre or on video cassette so I have no point of reference concerning quality. The story appeals to me because of the subject matter and the quality of the casting. The location, costumes and makeup are simply the best. It is very much a film which holds the interest of anyone interested in the life styles and moral standards of Edwardian England. So many things are about to change in the lives of all these people and yet they cannot know this and go on about their lives just as they always have. One of the most moving aspects of the film for me is at the end when the characters names are flashed on the screen with the information of what happened to them during the war. Also, the extra feature where the casting and location details are discussed adds much to the enjoyment of this fine film.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in period English drama. I also purchased the book by Isabel Colegate and read it. I found that the film was very, very faithful to the book. In the extra features included with the DVD the author seemed to be well pleased with the efforts made by the producers to present her work as she would have wished. Good, enjoyable entertainment. Well worth it for any true Anglophile. May 30, 2007

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