#191: JARMAN, Derek: Jubilee (1978)
JARMAN, Derek (United Kingdom)
Jubilee [1978]
Spine #191
DVD
DVD
When Queen Elizabeth I asks her court alchemist to show her England in the future, she's transported 400 years to a post-apocalyptic wasteland of roving girl gangs, an all-powerful media mogul, fascistic police, scattered filth, and twisted sex. With Jubilee, legendary British filmmaker Derek Jarman channeled political dissent and artistic daring into a revolutionary blend of history and fantasy, musical and cinematic experimentation, satire and anger, fashion and philosophy. With its uninhibited punk petulance and sloganeering, Jubilee brings together many cultural and musical icons of the time, including Jordan, Toyah Willcox, Little Nell, Wayne County, Adam Ant, and Brian Eno (with his first original film score), to create a genuinely unique, unforgettable vision. Ahead of its time and often frighteningly accurate in its predictions, it is a fascinating historical document and a gorgeous work of film art.
106 minutes
Color
Color
Monaural
1:66:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2003
Director/Writers
Screenplay by Derek Jarman and James Shaley.
Jarman was 36 when he wrote and directed Jubilee.
The Film
Every film in the Criterion Collection contains the following introductory phrase:
The Criterion Collection, a continuing series of important classic and contemporary films, presents:
One might suppose this film is important, classic or contemporary — but it really fills none of those categories.
Reading the above scenario might lead one to believe that the viewer is in for an exciting time-travel film: “Queen Elizabeth I asks her court alchemist to show her England in the future” — but that viewer would obviously be unfamiliar with the stylistic flair of the late Derek Jarman.
This analysis requires a few quotes from Frank Zappa:
“Hey punk, where you goin’ with that flower in your hand?” [from “Flower Punk” / We’re Only In It For The Money (1968)]
“All them rock & roll writers is the worst kind of sleaze / Selling punk like some new kind of English disease” [from “Packard Goose” / Joe’s Garage (1979)]
**
Jubilee refers to the 25th anniversary of the coronation of Elizabeth II.
The opening seems promising as the homonculus Lady in Waiting (Helen Wellington-Lloyd) feeds tidbits to three large dogs bigger than herself. We then meet the Queen (Jenny Runacre, in a dual-role; also playing the sadistic quasi-leader of the punk group — “Bod.”)
Other volunteers who appears in this mess of a film include Toyah Willcox (Mad) — who actually became a serious actress after going bonkers here; Orlando (Borgia Ginz) and Adam Ant (Kid), an unknown punker at the time, who fulfills Borgia’s prophecy that “they all sign up in one way or the other.”
Jarman definitely has his moments, though they are far and few between. The punks visit Max (Neil Kennedy), who tends to a garden full of artificial flowers, and the final scene by the seaside, where Jarman beautifully photographs the facets of a crystal are nice exceptions.
An acquired taste, perhaps.
Film Rating (0-60):
Instructive ...
Commentary
None
Documentary
Jubilee: A Time Less Golden, an original documentary on Derek Jarman and Jubilee made by Jarman actor Spencer Leigh, featuring interviews with stars Jenny Runacre and Toyah Willcox, film historian Tony Rayns, production designer Christopher Hobbs, and filmmakers John Maybury and Lee Drysdale, with rare Super-8 clips and memorabilia from the film.
Commentary
None
Documentary
Jubilee: A Time Less Golden, an original documentary on Derek Jarman and Jubilee made by Jarman actor Spencer Leigh, featuring interviews with stars Jenny Runacre and Toyah Willcox, film historian Tony Rayns, production designer Christopher Hobbs, and filmmakers John Maybury and Lee Drysdale, with rare Super-8 clips and memorabilia from the film.
This is actually helpful, insofar as the participants — who clearly adored Jarman — discuss what the film means to them ...
Ephemera
From Jarman’s personal collection, including his scrapbooks from the film illustrated with rare photos, notes, and continuity stills.
One can see the seriousness of the filmmaker’s purpose in this collection of memorabilia. Included is Vivienne Westwood’s T-shirt, criticizing the film — which is reproduced in great detail.
Original trailer
Extras Rating (0-40):
Original trailer
Extras Rating (0-40):
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