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{{about|the 1984 film|the novel it is based on|The Shooting Party (Colegate novel)|the 1884 novel by Anton Chekhov|The Shooting Party (Chekhov novel)}}
{{about|the 1984 film|the novel it is based on|The Shooting Party (Colegate novel)|the 1884 novel by Anton Chekhov|The Shooting Party (Chekhov novel)}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = The Shooting Party
| name = The Shooting Party
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| budget =
| budget =
}}
}}
'''''The Shooting Party''''' is a 1984 British drama film directed by [[Alan Bridges]] and based on [[The Shooting Party (novel)|the book of the same name]] by [[Isabel Colegate]]. The film is set in 1913, less than a year before the beginning of the [[World War I|First World War]], and shows a vanishing way of life amongst English aristocrats, focusing on a [[Hunting and shooting in the United Kingdom|shooting party]] gathered for [[pheasant shooting]]. Their situation is contrasted with the life of the local rural poor, who work on the estate and during the shoot serve as [[Hunting|beaters]], driving the game.<ref name=TV>{{cite web|url=http://www.memorabletv.com/dvdreviews04/shootingparty.htm|title=THE SHOOTING PARTY|publisher=Memorable TV|quote=Elegiac in tone and full of muted browns and greens The Shooting Party captures the period beautifully, showing the class divide which World War One helped to break down some.|accessdate=6 August 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080727210325/http://www.memorabletv.com/dvdreviews04/shootingparty.htm|archivedate=27 July 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It was entered into the [[14th Moscow International Film Festival]].<ref name="Moscow1985">{{cite web |url=http://www.moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff34/eng/archives/?year=1985 |title=14th Moscow International Film Festival (1985) |accessdate=9 February 2013 |work=MIFF |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316084353/http://moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff34/eng/archives/?year=1985 |archivedate=16 March 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
'''''The Shooting Party''''' is a 1984 British drama film directed by [[Alan Bridges]] and based on [[The Shooting Party (novel)|the book of the same name]] by [[Isabel Colegate]]. The film is set in 1913, less than a year before the beginning of the [[World War I|First World War]], and shows a vanishing way of life amongst English aristocrats, focusing on a [[Hunting and shooting in the United Kingdom|shooting party]] gathered for [[pheasant shooting]]. Their situation is contrasted with the life of the local rural poor, who work on the estate and during the shoot serve as [[Hunting|beaters]], driving the game.<ref name=TV>{{cite web|url=http://www.memorabletv.com/dvdreviews04/shootingparty.htm|title=THE SHOOTING PARTY|publisher=Memorable TV|quote=Elegiac in tone and full of muted browns and greens The Shooting Party captures the period beautifully, showing the class divide which World War One helped to break down some.|accessdate=6 August 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080727210325/http://www.memorabletv.com/dvdreviews04/shootingparty.htm|archivedate=27 July 2008}}</ref> It was entered into the [[14th Moscow International Film Festival]].<ref name="Moscow1985">{{cite web |url=http://www.moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff34/eng/archives/?year=1985 |title=14th Moscow International Film Festival (1985) |accessdate=9 February 2013 |work=MIFF |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316084353/http://moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff34/eng/archives/?year=1985 |archivedate=16 March 2013 }}</ref>


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
In the autumn of 1913, a large party of guests gather at the estate of Sir Randolph Nettleby and his wife Minnie for a weekend of shooting. Over the next few days two of the guests, Lord Gilbert Hartlip and Lionel Stephens, engage in an escalating contest over who can shoot the most game. Hartlip is a renowned sportsman threatened by Stephens's skill, while Stephens is anxious to impress his sweetheart, the married Olivia. Hartlip's wife, Aline is carrying on an indiscreet love affair with another guest, Sir Reuben Hergesheimer. Meanwhile, the Nettlebys' granddaughter Cicely is allowing herself to be courted by the Hungarian Count Rakassyi, much to the chagrin of her mother Ida.
In the autumn of 1913, a large party of guests gather at the estate of Sir Randolph Nettleby and his wife Minnie for a weekend of shooting. Over the next few days two of the guests, Lord Gilbert Hartlip and Lionel Stephens, engage in an escalating contest over who can shoot the most game. Hartlip is a renowned sportsman threatened by Stephens's skill, while Stephens is anxious to impress his sweetheart, the married Olivia. Hartlip's wife, Aline, is carrying on an indiscreet love affair with another guest, Sir Reuben Hergesheimer. Meanwhile, the Nettlebys' granddaughter Cicely is allowing herself to be courted by the Hungarian Count Rakassyi, much to the chagrin of her mother Ida.


All of the characters' personal tensions reach breaking point when someone is killed accidentally on the final day of shooting, leading the guests to reconsider their relationships. The closing credits reveal the names of those members of the shooting party who later were killed in the First World War.
All of the characters' personal tensions reach breaking point when someone is killed accidentally on the final day of shooting, leading the guests to reconsider their relationships. The closing credits reveal the names of those members of the shooting party who later were killed in the First World War.


==Cast==
==Cast==
{{Div col}}
*[[James Mason]] as Sir Randolph Nettleby
*[[James Mason]] as Sir Randolph Nettleby
*[[Edward Fox (actor)|Edward Fox]] as Lord Gilbert Hartlip
*[[Edward Fox (actor)|Edward Fox]] as Lord Gilbert Hartlip
Line 58: Line 59:
*[[Lockwood West]] as Rogers
*[[Lockwood West]] as Rogers
*[[Frank Windsor]] as Glass
*[[Frank Windsor]] as Glass
{{Div col end}}


==Analysis==
==Analysis==
Line 65: Line 67:


==Production==
==Production==
According to the DVD extras documentary, [[Paul Scofield]] was cast as Sir Randolph Nettleby, but he was seriously injured during the first shot on the first day of shooting. Because the film takes place in October, during partridge-shooting season, the filmmakers had to make a choice, either to delay filming for a year or re-cast the role. James Mason was finishing the filming of ''[[Doctor Fischer of Geneva]]'' for the BBC, and the schedule was changed to allow him to take over the part of Nettleby, six weeks later.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4313352.stm | work=BBC News | title=Obituary: Paul Scofield | date=20 March 2008}}</ref>
According to the DVD extras documentary, [[Paul Scofield]] was cast as Sir Randolph Nettleby, but he was seriously injured during the first shot on the first day of shooting. Because the film takes place in October, during partridge-shooting season, the filmmakers had to make a choice, either to delay filming for a year or re-cast the role. James Mason was finishing the filming of ''[[Doctor Fischer of Geneva]]'' for the BBC, and the schedule was changed to allow him to take over the part of Nettleby, six weeks later.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4313352.stm | publisher=BBC News | title=Obituary: Paul Scofield | date=20 March 2008}}</ref>


The film was shot at [[Knebworth House]] in Hertfordshire.
The film was shot at [[Knebworth House]] in Hertfordshire.
Line 72: Line 74:
Critic [[Pauline Kael]] gave the film a positive review and wrote "Bridges has a special gift for these evocations of a world seen in a bell jar, and now, with [[Geoffrey Reeve]] as producer and Fred Tammes as cinematographer, he has refined his techniques."<ref>[[Pauline Kael]], ''[[State of the Art (book)|State of the Art]]'' {{ISBN|0-7145-2869-2}} p.371-372</ref>
Critic [[Pauline Kael]] gave the film a positive review and wrote "Bridges has a special gift for these evocations of a world seen in a bell jar, and now, with [[Geoffrey Reeve]] as producer and Fred Tammes as cinematographer, he has refined his techniques."<ref>[[Pauline Kael]], ''[[State of the Art (book)|State of the Art]]'' {{ISBN|0-7145-2869-2}} p.371-372</ref>


In September 1985, [[Roger Ebert]] gave the film three stars and concluded his review: “This is the sort of small, intelligent and civilized film that we have to find in Europe, because American actors of the same caliber would not want to appear in small roles with so many of their equals. The movie is a reminder that American films are usually about one or two stars and a handful of well-known character actors, while Europeans are still capable of pitching in together for an ensemble piece. There is nothing new in the message of this film, but a great deal of artistry in its telling.”<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|title=The Shooting Party movie review (1985) {{!}} Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-shooting-party-1985|access-date=2021-08-16|website=[[Roger Ebert]]|language=en}}</ref>
In September 1985, [[Roger Ebert]] gave the film three stars and concluded his review: "This is the sort of small, intelligent and civilized film that we have to find in Europe, because American actors of the same caliber would not want to appear in small roles with so many of their equals. The movie is a reminder that American films are usually about one or two stars and a handful of well-known character actors, while Europeans are still capable of pitching in together for an ensemble piece. There is nothing new in the message of this film, but a great deal of artistry in its telling".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|title=The Shooting Party movie review (1985) {{!}} Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-shooting-party-1985|access-date=2021-08-16|website=[[Roger Ebert]]}}</ref>


As of August 2021, the film holds a 100% fresh rating on the [[Rotten Tomatoes]] website, based on five reviews.<ref>{{Citation|title=The Shooting Party (1984)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1018883-shooting_party|language=en|access-date=2021-08-16}}</ref>
As of December 2023, the film holds a 100% fresh rating on the [[Rotten Tomatoes]] website, based on six reviews.<ref>{{Citation|title=The Shooting Party (1984)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1018883-shooting_party|access-date=2021-08-16}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 81: Line 83:
==External links==
==External links==
*{{IMDb title|id=0088111|title=The Shooting Party}}
*{{IMDb title|id=0088111|title=The Shooting Party}}
* {{librivox book | title= The Shooting Party | author=Anton Chekhov}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Shooting Party, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shooting Party, The}}

Latest revision as of 14:40, 22 October 2024

This article is about the 1984 film. For the novel it is based on, see The Shooting Party (Colegate novel). For the 1884 novel by Anton Chekhov, see The Shooting Party (Chekhov novel).

The Shooting Party
Film poster
Directed byAlan Bridges
Written byIsabel Colegate (novel)
Julian Bond
Produced byGeoffrey Reeve
StarringJames Mason
Edward Fox
Dorothy Tutin
John Gielgud
Gordon Jackson
Robert Hardy
Music byJohn Scott
Distributed byCurzon Film Distributors
Release dates
  • 16 May 1984 (1984-05-16) (Cannes Film Market)
  • February 1985 (1985-02) (United Kingdom)
Running time
98 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

The Shooting Party is a 1984 British drama film directed by Alan Bridges and based on the book of the same name by Isabel Colegate. The film is set in 1913, less than a year before the beginning of the First World War, and shows a vanishing way of life amongst English aristocrats, focusing on a shooting party gathered for pheasant shooting. Their situation is contrasted with the life of the local rural poor, who work on the estate and during the shoot serve as beaters, driving the game.[1] It was entered into the 14th Moscow International Film Festival.[2]

Synopsis

[edit]

In the autumn of 1913, a large party of guests gather at the estate of Sir Randolph Nettleby and his wife Minnie for a weekend of shooting. Over the next few days two of the guests, Lord Gilbert Hartlip and Lionel Stephens, engage in an escalating contest over who can shoot the most game. Hartlip is a renowned sportsman threatened by Stephens's skill, while Stephens is anxious to impress his sweetheart, the married Olivia. Hartlip's wife, Aline, is carrying on an indiscreet love affair with another guest, Sir Reuben Hergesheimer. Meanwhile, the Nettlebys' granddaughter Cicely is allowing herself to be courted by the Hungarian Count Rakassyi, much to the chagrin of her mother Ida.

All of the characters' personal tensions reach breaking point when someone is killed accidentally on the final day of shooting, leading the guests to reconsider their relationships. The closing credits reveal the names of those members of the shooting party who later were killed in the First World War.

Cast

[edit]

Analysis

[edit]

There is a general feeling of the end of a way of life,[3] as the characters go about their lives unaware of the coming war and the changes it will bring.[1]

Released posthumously, this is the last film appearance by James Mason, who plays Sir Randolph Nettleby, the local landowner who has something of the old values. Edward Fox as Lord Gilbert Hartlip represents the newer type of aristocrat who does not have the same solid beliefs: he gets into a competition over who is the best shot, despite his host's disapproval.

Production

[edit]

According to the DVD extras documentary, Paul Scofield was cast as Sir Randolph Nettleby, but he was seriously injured during the first shot on the first day of shooting. Because the film takes place in October, during partridge-shooting season, the filmmakers had to make a choice, either to delay filming for a year or re-cast the role. James Mason was finishing the filming of Doctor Fischer of Geneva for the BBC, and the schedule was changed to allow him to take over the part of Nettleby, six weeks later.[4]

The film was shot at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire.

Reception

[edit]

Critic Pauline Kael gave the film a positive review and wrote "Bridges has a special gift for these evocations of a world seen in a bell jar, and now, with Geoffrey Reeve as producer and Fred Tammes as cinematographer, he has refined his techniques."[5]

In September 1985, Roger Ebert gave the film three stars and concluded his review: "This is the sort of small, intelligent and civilized film that we have to find in Europe, because American actors of the same caliber would not want to appear in small roles with so many of their equals. The movie is a reminder that American films are usually about one or two stars and a handful of well-known character actors, while Europeans are still capable of pitching in together for an ensemble piece. There is nothing new in the message of this film, but a great deal of artistry in its telling".[6]

As of December 2023, the film holds a 100% fresh rating on the Rotten Tomatoes website, based on six reviews.[7]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "THE SHOOTING PARTY". Memorable TV. Archived from the original on 27 July 2008. Retrieved 6 August 2009. Elegiac in tone and full of muted browns and greens The Shooting Party captures the period beautifully, showing the class divide which World War One helped to break down some.
  2. ^ "14th Moscow International Film Festival (1985)". MIFF. Archived from the original on 16 March 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  3. ^ Andrew Higson (2003). English Heritage, English Cinema: Costume Drama Since 1980. Oxford University Press. p. 28. ISBN 0-19-925902-X.
  4. ^ "Obituary: Paul Scofield". BBC News. 20 March 2008.
  5. ^ Pauline Kael, State of the Art ISBN 0-7145-2869-2 p.371-372
  6. ^ Ebert, Roger. "The Shooting Party movie review (1985) | Roger Ebert". Roger Ebert. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  7. ^ The Shooting Party (1984), retrieved 16 August 2021
[edit]
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