1969
Director: Robert Neame
We raise a question here of national vs. ethnic films. Generally speaking one discusses national cinema as that which comes from a nation, while ethnic films represent a specific piece of the population which is distinct from other populations within the nation. This problem of distinguishing a nation from a cultural group is a complex one.
Scotland is a part of Great Britain which contains England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In a sense it is not unlike the U.S.A. with a variety of states making up the country. The major difference in that about 90% of the population of Britain lives in England, hence there is a strong tendency to equate England with Britain (especially on the part of the English and non-British. A classic example is the use of ERII for Elizabeth Regina 2 (Queen Elizabeth the Second). The current Elizabeth is the second queen of England known as Elizabeth, but not of Britain. Elizabeth I was queen of England but not Scotland. None the less all the mailboxes say EIIR on them. Compare this with King James the Sixth of Scotland who became king of Britain as well and is known as James the I and VI (i.e. James the First of Britain and the Sixth of Scotland). This Elizabth should properly be Elizabeth the I and II (i.e. Elizabeth the First of Britain and the Second of England). This however does not happen.
One can question what constitutes a "Scottish" cinema as opposed to a British or English cinema. The cowardly way out is to say that the film has a Scottish "resonance", but just what that means is unclear.
Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is by a woman from Edinburgh, Scotland named Muriel Spark. The play and screen play are adapted from the book by Jay Presson Allen.
Brodie is portrayed by England born Maggie Smith who won the academy award for best actress for the film.
One important aspect of the film is that its focus is not on being Scottish or for that matter British any more than most American films do not focus on the ethnicity or culture of the main characters. The films have different attitudes toward the teachers and what they do. None the less there are things in the film which are peculiarly Scottish. As a result, Scots will respond to them perhaps somewhat differently than non-Scots (or people not familiar with Scottish culture). What are these?
First some problems about “time”
The book, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is written by Muriel Sparks in 1962
The film was made in 1969.
Both are set in a three or four year period starting in 1932,
This means that you must be careful in terms of interpretation of the “time”
There is the time the play is set (1932); the time the book was written (1962) and the time that the film is produced (1969).
In this film there are only 7 years between the book and the play, but in other films it can be a good deal more.
Should we evaluate the behavior of the characters in terms of 2004? What efforts do audiences have to make to get into the time period in which the film is made and also in which the story takes place.
There are some cross cultural problems involved in terms of recognition of locales and dialects. The outdoor scenes are shot in Edinburgh and the dialect is a specific dialect of Scottish English associated with the Morningside district, a sort of upper middle class area
It is interesting that the class applauded after Brodie’s (Smith) impassioned speech at Miss MacKay who accused of a relationship with Mr. Lowther an Mr. Lloyd after reading a letter written by two of the students (and also at the end of the film).
Is there, at various times of the film a different affiliation with Brodie (Smith) by the audience? The play is “wordy” – that is there is a great deal of dialog. Does the film come down on one side or the other about Brodie (Smith)? What does they play/film say about her teaching methods and ideals? The Rod McKuen wrote a score for the film. What part does it play?
After the film:
Brodie (Smith) stands out from the rest of the faculty at Marcia Blaine. How is this indicated visually?
Clothing – colorful, different from the rest
Position in frame?
When Sandy begins to take ascendancy Brodie (Smith) is sitting and Sandy standing – for the first time in the film Sandy is “taller” than Brodie (Smith).
Is Brodie (smith) sincere in what she is doing or thinks she is doing?
Does she romanticize? Is she somewhat hypocritical? (Do as I say not as I do. You claim to admire people like Caesar)
Is Brodie (Smith) introducing students to life. How is this reflected in her taking students out of the college – tours of Edinburgh, trips to Crammen, trips to the opera?
How is this shown in the film?
How does the music impact on the film? What is its feeling or style?
Is the text “romanticized”?
How are Brodie (smith) and Sandy (Franklin) placed in the frames as their relationship develops?
The film clearly deals with the question of a teacher as a role model, methods of teaching, and responsibility. We can question the nature of teaching, the profession, the relationship between the students and teachers etc.
Has the role or perceived role of the teacher changed since 1969? Brodie (Smith) is fired for being political. Is that unusual today? Click here to read a paper about the politicization of film courses.
Starts with students gathering for start of school
(B) Scenes of Edinburgh – Scottish flavor (D) Bagpipes – Scottish flavor
Some brief religious comments.(B) comments about religion – Catholicism vs. Protestantism. (D) It isn’t the bible
team spirit is for corps, Pavolva knew nothing of it.
(D) Don’t stride together
The film deals with a “select” group from the class (Brodie girls) whom we see both groups with and without the teacher.
Mary MacGregor in an attempt to please Brodie (Smith) goes to Spain and is killed
Neil (Leonard) , in an attempt to respond to Keating (Williams) philosophy defies his father and commits suicide.
(B) Brodie (Smith) has friends of her own age and status (Lowther (Jackson), Lloyd (Stephens)
Student Activities:
Brodie’s (Smith) outings and scene with girls are in realistic settings in reasonably normal lighting. Excursion to Crammen, Grocery shopping, tour of Edinburgh.
Students in Brodie hang out together - little or no discussion about opposite sex. Some squeamishness about topic and clear lack of understanding. Both Brodie (Smith) is charismatic B questions the nature of charismatic leadership without substance. Brodie (Smith) herself is charismatic, but content is weird. So too with Williams. Films regard them differently. B asks the audience to question the nature of Brodie (Smith), Sandy (Franklin) and Lloyd (Stephens). DP basically wants you to accept Williams as a genius.
How does the film deal with student's death?
Mary MacGregor's death (Farr) is not seen, nor are any reactions to the person seen.
Students' reaction to death of student:
Sandy learns from paper and runs to Brodie. Brodie sees paper. MacKay (Johnson) has explained actual facts to the students , but Brodie discusses more symbolic implications.
Sandy (Franklin) walking out down the hall with her back to Brodie (Smith).
Brodie says things which are different from what she does.
Does Keating regard other sources of authority or thought as threatening (tear out the introduction) the way Sandy feels that Brodie regards the girl guides as a rival fasciste?
Brodie exhorts students to look at art, beauty and truth, but not necessarily to act (except in one ill fated case)
In the film does the student go "too far" following the instructions from their teachers.
Acting and appearance:
Maggie Smith is taller than the girls. They are more "awed" or "threatened" visually by her
Smith's acting of pulling herself together to regain "composure" and her drifting off into reveries when discussing her lover "Hugh" gives a wide range of expression and emotion to the performance.
She is "extreme" as one of the people says
Locations:
Brodie lacks the "romantic/nature" images. Brodie's excursions into Edinburgh are not Romantic - regular streets (where she lives, by the castle at the store). Even the garden at Cramden which is seen briefly is dominated by the building, not the natural scenic beauty that might be there.
Costumes:
Brodie dresses in brighter colors to the eccentric teacher and use school uniforms to indicate conformity in students. Uniforms are also drab, gray or black.
Shots and Framing:
Brodie is often seen above the students who are seated. This makes Brodie's students seem perhaps more vulnerable.