Sixty Glorious Years is an exercise in the creation of iconography, both for Victoria and its star, Anna Neagle (who subsequently became known as 'Regal Neagle'). Just as Elizabeth I commissioned artists to create flattering iconic images for public consumption, so this film performs a similar function, for Neagle is more beautiful than the real life Victoria. Controversial events (such as the 'Irish problem') are omitted and unpleasant aspects of Victoria's character (her petulance, arrogance, favouritism and 'right to privilege') are glossed over as endearing little 'whims'. Albert acts as a moderating influence when she goes too far.
The film followed a year after the highly successful Victoria the Great (d. Herbert Wilcox, 1937). Again the screenplay is by Miles Malleson and Robert Vansittart, and many of the supporting cast (the cream of acting talent of period) repeat their roles, this time for the colour cameras. This was the first full length Technicolor film of cinematographer Freddie Young, who captures the spectacle of royal weddings, grand balls and opulent interiors, with scenes actually filmed at royal palaces. Vivid battle scenes, set in Alexander Korda's empire territory (Sevastopol and the Sudan), rival those in The Four Feathers (d. Zoltan Korda 1939).
The title music sets the tone: a regal choir sings over a shot of the crown. Elgar's 1901 'Pomp and Circumstance' march is heard during the diamond jubilee celebrations and, as Victoria's coffin lies in state, the film concludes with Anthony Collins' stately music accompanied by the text of Rudyard Kipling's 'Lest we forget'. Combined with the emotional appeal of scenes of Victoria connecting with her 'ordinary folk', this is stirring stuff.
The film connects with contemporary events of 1938. The release of two celebratory royal films was intended to boost public affection for the monarchy in the wake of Edward VIII's abdication. Anglo-German relations were another touchy subject. With another war on the horizon, influential voices wanted appeasement, and the film could be seen to fit that agenda. Victoria herself was of mainly German descent, nicknamed 'the grandmother of Europe', while Albert is a 'good German', charmingly played by Anton Walbrook as a cultured, decent man.
Sixty Glorious Years now seems unduly formal and reverential. Had movies existed during Victoria's reign (they only emerged at the end) this might have been the kind of film produced. Unlike Mrs Brown (d. John Madden, 1997), it is all so very 'Victorian'.
Roger Philip Mellor
宋康昊,林秀晶,吴正世,全余赟,郑秀晶
吴竞,杨立新
高杉真宙,武田梨奈,松本穗香,水野胜,黑崎莉奈
卡里姆·莱克路,伊萨卡·萨瓦德戈,约翰·雷森,尼古拉·比斯,克莱尔·博德森,西蒙·弗雷,巴贝蒂达·萨乔,杰里米·扎格巴,玛莎坎·加安·东尼奥,罗纳德·贝姆斯
琳赛·洛翰,斯宾塞·加雷特,朱莉娅·奥蒙德
克莱斯·邦,奥古斯特·迪赫,尤利娅·斯尼吉尔,尤里·科洛科利尼科夫,亚历山大·亚森科,叶甫盖尼·齐加诺夫,亚伦·沃多沃兹,Dmitry,Vorontsov,阿列克塞·古斯科夫,阿列克谢·罗津,波琳娜·奥格,德米特里·雷先科夫,尤里·德雷文舍克,Evgeniy,Knyazev,尼基塔·塔拉索夫,马拉特·巴沙罗夫,列昂尼德·亚尔莫利尼克,伊戈尔·韦尔尼克,帕维尔·沃罗日佐夫,亚历山大·秋金