In Celebration (1975)

Director:

Lindsay Anderson

Writers:

David Storey (play)
David Storey (screenplay)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Wedding Anniversary | Brother | Celebration | Coal | Family Gathering

Cast

Brian Cox	...	Steven Shaw
Gabrielle Daye	...	Mrs. Burnett
Bill Owen	...	Mr. Shaw
Alan Bates	...	Andrew Shaw
James Bolam	...	Colin Shaw
Constance Chapman	...	Mrs. Shaw

Directed by
Lindsay Anderson

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
David Storey		play
David Storey		screenplay

Produced by
Ely A. Landau	....	producer
Les Landau	....	associate producer
Otto Plaschkes	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Christopher Gunning

Cinematography by
Dick Bush

Film Editing by
Russell Lloyd

Art Direction by
Alan Withy

Makeup Department
Mike Jones	....	hair stylist
George Partleton	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Jim Di Gangi	....	production supervisor
Roy Stevens	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Richard Jenkins	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Harry Cordwell	....	set dresser
Brian Lofthouse	....	props
Cyril Sundborg	....	props

Sound Department
Stan Fiferman	....	dubbing editor (as Stanley Fiferman)
John Poyner	....	dubbing editor
Bruce White	....	sound mixer
Dennis Whitlock	....	dubbing mixer

Camera and Electrical Department
Steve Birtles	....	gaffer
Michael Garfath	....	focus puller (as Mike Garfath)
Stan Patton	....	grip
Barrie Payne	....	still photographer

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Brenda Dabbs	....	wardrobe

Editorial Department
Peter Watson	....	assistant editor

Transportation Department
Christopher Storey	....	unit driver

Other crew
Valerie Booth	....	continuity
Tunde Ikoli	....	production assistant
Rosemary Pearson	....	producer secretary

Production Companies

• The American Film Theatre

Distributors

• Seven Keys (1975) (UK) (theatrical)
• Kino Video (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• 3DD Entertainment (2004) (worldwide) (DVD)
• Fremantle Media (2004) (UK) (DVD)
• inD DVD (2004) (UK) (DVD)
• Umbrella Entertainment (2005) (Australia) (DVD)
• The American Film Theatre (1975) (USA) (theatrical)

Runtime:

USA:131 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:PG | UK:PG (video rating) | UK:A (original rating)

Filming Locations:

EMI Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

The American Film Theatre

My brief review of the film

The acting here is quite competent, and it is interesting to watch one of Lindsay Anderson's lesser known films, however adapted from a theatre play, it does not disguise its roots very well, and it is quite talkative with little real action. Action is not necessary for all types of film, but in this case having the characters sitting or standing about while talking is not enough for the material to have spice. It is about emotional confrontations, and sure enough, the performers deliver well in some intense scenes. But as a film and not a theatre production, it only ever feels half-baked, and it certainly does not showcase Anderson's directing skills, which proved to be great in his trilogy with Malcolm McDowell.