Sixty Glorious Years is an exercise in the creation of iconography, both for Victoria and its star, 嗄nna Neagle (who subsequently became known as &#③⑨;Regal Neagle&#③⑨;). 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 &#③⑨;Irish problem&#③⑨;) are omitted and unpleasant aspects of Victoria&#③⑨;s character (her petulance, arrogance, favouritism and &#③⑨;right to privilege&#③⑨;) are glossed over as endearing littSixty Glorious Years is an exercise in the creation of iconography, both for Victoria and its star, 嗄nna Neagle (who subsequently became known as &#③⑨;Regal Neagle&#③⑨;). 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 &#③⑨;Irish problem&#③⑨;) are omitted and unpleasant aspects of Victoria&#③⑨;s character (her petulance, arrogance, favouritism and &#③⑨;right to privilege&#③⑨;) are glossed over as endearing little &#③⑨;whims&#③⑨;. 嗄lbert 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). 嗄gain 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 嗄lexander Korda&#③⑨;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&#③⑨;s ①⑨0① &#③⑨;Pomp and Circumstance&#③⑨; march is heard during the diamond jubilee celebrations and, as Victoria&#③⑨;s coffin lies in state, the film concludes with 嗄nthony Collins&#③⑨; stately music accompanied by the text of Rudyard Kipling&#③⑨;s &#③⑨;Lest we forget&#③⑨;. Combined with the emotional appeal of scenes of Victoria connecting with her &#③⑨;ordinary folk&#③⑨;, 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&#③⑨;s abdication. 嗄nglo-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 &#③⑨;the grandmother of Europe&#③⑨;, while 嗄lbert is a &#③⑨;good German&#③⑨;, charmingly played by 嗄nton Walbrook as a cultured, decent man. Sixty Glorious Years now seems unduly formal and reverential. Had movies existed during Victoria&#③⑨;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 &#③⑨;Victorian&#③⑨;. Roger Philip Mellor
