荣耀六十年1938
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
杨乃武与小白菜
根据王峰原著改编。   清代同治末年,朝廷腐败,官场更加黑暗。“杨乃武与小白菜”的“奇案”就发生在这时的浙江省余杭县。余杭县知县刘锡彤之子刘子和看中豆腐房葛小杜之妻毕秀姑。她容貌甚美,绰号“小白菜”。刘子和贪恋姿色,暗用迷药玷污了葛毕氏,毒死她丈夫葛小杜。案发后,刘锡彤为开脱儿子罪责而陷害新科举人杨乃武。皆因杨乃武曾与葛毕氏相识有情,并给葛小杜治病,刘锡彤便买通师爷钱如命,用“移花接木”之计,嫁祸于杨。懦弱无知的葛毕氏被百般威逼欺哄,诬杨乃武为奸夫,杨乃武“被屈打成招”定为“谋夫夺妇”之罪。余杭县生员不服,上诉至杭州府,但因知府宝贤与刘锡彤是儿女亲家。徇情得贿,仍酷刑枉断,杨乃武遂冤沉海底。众生员仗义扶危,再至浙江巡抚杨昌溶府衙鸣冤。葛毕氏痛悔自己放真凶,污良善,企图翻供。怎奈三大宪俱已受贿,官官相护,贪赃枉法,葛毕氏翻案不成反受酷刑旷世奇冤活路断,铁案铸成何能翻?杨乃武胞姐杨淑英曾在刑部尚书夏同善府中做过绣娘。为弟伸冤,千里跨涉赴京求援。时正值清室东宫与西宫互争权势,西太后之心腹醇亲王欲乘机除去东宫之亲信杨昌漕,因而接受杨淑英状纸,将全案人犯与原审官员提京勘审。但由于刘锡彤再逼葛毕氏,致使刑部大堂未能审出真相。于是夏同善设“密室相会”之计,使葛毕氏与杨乃武倾吐实情,招出真凶。杨乃武三载冤狱才获昭雪。
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