The 1960s were a highly influential decade as it pertains to social justice, geopolitics, and, in this case, entertainment. The '60s saw the introduction of contemporary icons like Lucille Ball, Dustin Hoffman, and Julie Andrews. The remarkable success of actors like Sidney Poitier paved the way for further success for Black Hollywood.
Due to the shifting narratives surrounding identity, and representation, as well as a reexamination of typical American rites of passage, filmmakers sought to capture the country as it appeared. Elsewhere, independent creative sought to retell stories in their light, taking many of the world's likely protagonists and exchanging them for devious femme fatales and tragic-anti heroes starring in adventures taking place in what many billed to be the city's dark underbelly.
Nevertheless, things were looking bright in Britain. The Swinging Sixties saw the United Kingdom's youth embrace hedonism. Aided by the popularity of acts such as The Beatles and Twiggy, the movement gained legitimacy, and it was not long before the cultural movement would find its way to film. Centered around life in London, films of the Swinging Sixties focused on British adolescents and their reaction to developments such as the sexual revolution and the anti-nuclear movement, both productions of post-war optimism.
8 Work is a Four-Letter Word
Cavalcade Films, 1968
While most films of the era are founded on a fusion of comedy and drama, Work is a Four-Letter Word is a satirical piece that follows the lives of several workers under a multinational corporation. Valentine Brose (David Warner), sticks out like a sore thumb, prioritizing his interest in psychedelics over productivity. Nevertheless, pressure from his fiancé Betsy results in him working in the boiler room for DICE, the corporation in question. Audiences get an inside look at Broses' desire and arrive at their own conclusions, regardless of the chaos that ensues following his new opportunity.
The film opened to critical reviews, with the consensus being that its premise and plot were unconvincing. Nevertheless, the film has been noted for its comedic timing as well as its similarities with Hard Timesconcerning the subject.
7 Alfie
Alfie is a British comedy-drama starring Michael Caine, Millicent Martin, and Julia Foster. The titular character is a promiscuous chauffeur who finds himself in countless relationships with women, regardless of their relationship status. After a series of life-threatening revelations, Alfie has an epiphany about his ambitions as well as his treatment of women.
The film does not shy away from Alfie's casual yet disturbing misogyny. Rather than celebrating him for it, the film prompts both Alfie and the audience to consider how much of an influence death, illness, and failure have on one's relationship with their sexuality and in the grand scheme of things, his code of conduct during situations both sexual and otherwise.
6 Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush
Giant Production Films, 1968
Based on the Hunter Davies-penned novel of the same name, Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush finds Barry Evans offers a hilarious and bright performance as the protagonist, Jamie McGregor. Living in the Swinging Sixties during the peak of puberty, Jamie's uneducated curiosity contributes to his growing interest in sex.
Hoping to lose his virginity, the eager teenager attempts to seduce multiple girls in his neighborhood and along the way, learns necessary lessons about his relationship with his body, sex, and how they have been misconstrued by the messages he has received. Critics have likened the amusing performance to the "beach party-boom", with acclaimed critic Rogert Elbert highlighting Evans' portrayal as "adept" for the majority of the film. Despite the time of its release, the positioning of the narrative around Jamie's virginity allows for interesting conversations revolving around male puberty and sexuality.
5 Darling
Anglo-Amalgamated, 1965
In Darling, the dynamic Diana Scott (Julie Christie) has it all. A successful celebrity in her own right, Diana's life is marked by her successes, her seemingly strong marriage, and the painful ennui that comes with her various accomplishments. The boredom settles once she runs across Robert Gold, a literary interviewer, and director for television. The two seemingly hit it off and soon enough, their union positions them at the top of the industry. However, Robert's increasing disillusionment with fame, Diana's ambitions, and the introduction of an executive named Miles further complicate their respective pursuit for success and joy.
The film was met with acclaim, winning Academy Awards and sweeping at the 1965 British Film Academy Awards. Darling has been heralded for effectively juggling both the brightness of success with the dullness of detachment. Rather than simply including hollow characters, Schlesinger delves deeper, crafting realistic narratives without excessive dramatization.
4 The Pleasure Girls
Compton-Cameo Films, 1965
In a film recognized for its examination of the Swinging Sixties through exploring comedy and tragedy, Francesca Annis, Anneke Wills, and Suzanna Leigh star as the titular pleasure girls. The Pleasure Girls centers around the experiences of newcomer Sally and her two roommates Angela and Dee. In Swinging London for a modeling career, Sally quickly acquaints herself with the two women as well as Keith and Nikko, two prospective romances. Nevertheless, the three women bond over their respective relationships with the world, men, and their livelihood, painting a dynamic depiction of the city in the 60s.
3 The Knack...and How to Get It
Considered to be the most influential film to come out of the Swinging Sixties, The Knack...And How To Get It perfectly captures the spectrum of sexual naïveté, experience, and everything in between. Colin (Michael Crawford) is an anxious teacher who has little to no experience with sex. Initially following the advice of his promiscuous friend Tolen, Colin considers the probability of intuition and protein consumption in his journey toward what many contemporary consumers would compare to sexual liberation.
Even with the various parallels to the modern-day discourse around sex, the film is very much a product of its time. While lauded for its actors' exceptional performances and the nonsensical nature of Colin's sexual exploration, misogyny and myths about rape culture are baked into the plot. Thus, The Hard Knack...and How To Get It may not be the most enjoyable film however, it serves a stronger purpose as an anthropological piece for those looking for the key characteristics that defined the Swinging Sixties.
2 Blow Up
For his first English release, Michelangelo Antonioni submerged himself into the mod subculture. With the assistance of lead actors David Hemmings, Vanessa Redgrave, and Sarah Miles, his exploration of the counterculture resulted in Blow Up, a bloody mystery, no pun intended.
Hemmings portrays Thomas, a photographer who frequently captures moments of life in and out of a work setting. One day, he finds himself unsatisfied with a modeling shoot and instead strolls off in search of scenes that pique his interest. His curiosity leads him to Jane (Redgrave), a woman in Maryon Park with her lover. Photographed by Thomas, Jane tries to take the film back to no avail. Once settled, Thomas takes a look back at his day and finds an unusual discovery, one that suggests that he prevented a murder from occurring.
The engaging film finds Thomas yearning for answers, traveling throughout the city in hopes of using his art to decipher reality. In his pursuit for the truth, he learns more about himself, his connection to his photography and how it impacts his relationships with others.
1 Joanna
Following the musings of a naive art student, the titular Joanna delivers a dreamy yet relatable tale of two friends living in London. After getting settled, Joanna (Genevieve Waite) begins a friendship with Beryl (Glenna Forster-Jones), a well-connected Sierra Leonean, and the two set out to conquer the colorful London nights.
There is no particular reason as to why Joanna is the protagonist of the film. However, that particular decision is ultimately what deifies Joanna and Beryl in the eyes of the viewers. Joanna not only reflects the aesthetic of the Swinging Sixties but creates a sense of universality, suggesting that just about anyone could live in a fantasy filled with sex, riches, and discovery. Nonetheless, the film does not fall into the trap of romanticizing every aspect of the Swinging Sixties, instead highlighting dilemmas experienced by characters like Beryl's brother Gordon.
Balancing bright exuberance with the looming air of tragedy, the Swinging Sixties capture the innocence of everyday folk as it pertains to sex, class, and gender. By embracing a sense of normalcy among its characters, Joanna remains one of the most impressive films to define the Swinging Sixties.
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