If…
I’ve written before about my favourite film on here, Withnail and I.
So today, I thought (in an attempt not to focus on the disappointing match result at home), I would post about my second favourite film ever, If…
Directed by Lindsay Anderson and introducing Malcolm MacDowell to the world (who would go on to star in A Clockwork Orange, perhaps the ultimate in cult films), the film came out in 1968. I didn’t see it until I was sixteen, in 1993. Let’s just say the idea of public school boys turning on the authorities kinda appealed. The film also cut between black and white and colour, not because of any stylistic reasons like The Wizard Of Oz or In Bed With Madonna, but more to do with Anderson’s problems in managing the budget.
MacDowell would reprise his role as Mick Travis in two subsequent films by Lindsay Anderson, O Lucky Man! and Britannia Hospital.
This piece of music, from the Belgian Congo* was recorded in 1958. This was an LP my Mum found and bought to me (I think in the same haul that also produced vinyl copies of The Wall and the soundtrack to 2001: A Space Odyssey
). It features throughout If…
This recording is scratchy but nothing can diminish its’ simplicity and power.
Les Troubadours du Roi Bedouin -’Sanctus.’ mp3
And in case you missed this before, this plays over the opening credits of Withnail and I:
King Curtis -’A Whiter Shade Of Pale.’ mp3
* As it was then, this is not a condoning of colonial policy of any country
just so I can show my age (!) I was at school with a guy who featured briefly in “If…” He had weird teeth and, I think, yelled at the camera near the end (exposing said teeth in alarming fashion). As this film came out while I was at boarding school it too features on my list of all-time significant movies.
I had forgotten the music, though I remember O Lucky Man featured Alan Price singing “on set”.
O Lucky Man’s soundtrack is great…found a copy on vinyl about seven years ago which I bought for my brother, and would love to find another one…
Interesting post.
Now a signed up member of The Edinburgh Library - great how many great books they have. I’m currently reading a book by John Waters (Pink Flamingos, Hairspray)who has to be mentioned when the term Cult Film is brought up in discussion. Pink Flamingos has a interesting soundtrack of unheard of B-Sides which adds to the tackyness of it all.
SW
Well done! Told you it was worth it : )