England demystified


Despite having a revolution against England over two centuries ago, I was raised with almost a mysticism about England. Most older movies show England as a sophisticated place of class. However, this movie shows a totally different side of England - they are human just like us. The racial side was shown to be not as vast as the realities of the east end of London. The students had the same challenges and issues that kids in New York City had in 1967. This is the side of England we rarely hear about.

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'...the same challenges and issues...'

True, because although I remember this film fondly from having seen it many decades ago it was a surprise to be reminded (now) it is set in England. That is possibly a bad reflection on my memory but more-so that the film shows an experience common to us in the U.S., at least during those times.


"Did you make coffee...? Make it!"--Cheyenne.

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Did you really think that English people were all high-born aristocrats who speak as though they have a hot potato in their mouth? Sorry, but it is incredibly naive of you! We are a relatively large nation (for such a small island) and will have the same socio-economic problems like the rest of the world.

This film was made in the 60's, and there is a whole plethora of 'kitchen sink' dramas that were made in this decade, which depicted working class life in England (and I mention England and not the UK only because you mentioned this specific country). Maybe it was what the powers that be in your country thought you should be watching that were at fault and not a conspiracy in Britain to mislead the rest of the world, although I have to admit that before the 60's most films did portray the English as middle-class, uptight and sexless!

I suppose it is similar to what we in Britain watch from the US (very little realism, mostly middle-class stereotypes who are all remarkably attractive (or what the US film industry think is attractive) and a prudish attitude to nudity (though titillation and soft porn undertones are to be encouraged, just don't show a breast or god forbid a penis)!

I'm not having a go at you, just an observation on how the media portray certain countries and their people, even when said country is more than honest about its diverse culture.

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