Looking for a New England: Action, Time, Vision: Music, Film and TV 1975 - 1986

by Simon Matthews

What happened to UK cinema and TV when swinging London ended? Looking for a New England covers the period 1975 to 1986, from Slade in Flame to Absolute Beginners.


A carefully researched exploration of transgressive films, the career of David Bowie, dystopias, the Joan Collins ouevre, black cinema, the origins and impact of punk music, political films, comedy, how Ireland and Scotland featured on our screens and the rise of Richard Branson and a new, commercial, mainstream. The sequel to Psychedelic Celluloid, it describes over 100 film and TV productions in detail, together with their literary, social and musical influences during a time when profound changes shrank the size of the UK cinema industry.

Genres: Nonfiction

264 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2021

Reviews

[Mancman · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a lot packed into this, and it contains some real gems, but it does feel like slightly hard work, mining for them.
I’d have liked a little humour interspersed between the facts and dates that come at you like an avalanche.
It can feel a little repetitive in places, given the way the book is structured.

[Annarella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even if I found this book interesting and well researched I didn't like the style of writing and I struggled to read it
Not my cup of tea
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Lucy George · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fascinating book is a must read for anyone who enjoys music and film. A thorough look at British music, TV and film between 1975-1986. Impossible to read without yelling out 'I remember that...'

[Ipswichblade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok book but more about films than music and television. Also England did qualify for the World Cup in Spain in 1982 and reached the second stage so quite an error to make!!!