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Sixty Glorious Years (1938)
 

Courtesy of STUDIOCANAL

Main image of Sixty Glorious Years (1938)
 
35mm, 95 min, Technicolor
 
Directed byHerbert Wilcox
Produced byHerbert Wilcox
Screenplay Miles Malleson
 Robert Vansittart
CinematographyF.A. Young
EditorJill Irving
Musical DirectionMuir Mathieson

Cast: Anna Neagle (Queen Victoria); Anton Walbrook (Prince Albert); C. Aubrey Smith (Duke Of Wellington); Walter Rilla (Prince Ernst Of Saxe-Coburg Gotha); Greta Wegener (Baroness Lehzen); Felix Aylmer (Lord Palmerston); Charles Carson (Sir Robert Peel); Joyce Bland (Florence Nightingale); Derrick De Marney (Rt. Hon. Benjamin Disraeli); Laidman Browne (General Gordon); Frank Cellier (Lord Derby); Malcolm Keen (Rt. Hon. W.E. Gladstone)

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A colourful historical pageant presenting significant public and private events during the 60-year reign of Queen Victoria from 1840 to 1901, with particular emphasis on her marriage to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg.

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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

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Video Clips
1. A royal wedding (5:37)
2. 'It was wonderful, Maggie' (2:19)
GALLERY / SCRIPTS / AUDIO
Production stills
Monthly Film Bulletin review
SEE ALSO
De Marney, Derrick (1906-1978)
Neagle, Anna (1904-1986)
Walbrook, Anton (1896-1967)
Wilcox, Herbert (1890-1977)
Young, Freddie (1902-1998)