Themes: Future Dystopias, Crowned Heads, Time Travel
Main Cast: Jenny Runacre, Jordan, Nell Campbell, Linda Spurrier
Release Year: 1978
Country: UK
Run Time: 103 minutes
Plot
Steeped in the nihilistic philosophy and rebellious fashions of the British punk movement, this early feature by experimental filmmaker Derek Jarman presents an unusual look at late 1970s London. The bulk of Jubilee focuses on a loosely connected group of female outcasts, united by a hatred of convention that at times extends into dark violence. Providing contrast is the film's framing story, in which Queen Elizabeth I travels forward in time to view the future of England and finds unexpected sympathy with the female rebels. The film references both William Shakespeare and Siouxsie and the Banshees, and it alternates scenes of transgressive violence with heady discussions of English history. The film's casting alone makes it an intriguing artifact of its time, showcasing subcultural icons from musician Adam Ant to several cast members of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
Ian Charleson - Angel; Toyah Willcox - Mad; Richard O'Brien - John Dee; Adam Ant - Kid; Karl Johnson - Sphinx; Neil Kennedy - Max; Orlando - Borgia Ginz; Claire Davenport - First Customs Lady; Barney James - Policeman; Lindsay Kemp - Cabaret performer; Helen Wellington-Lloyd - Lady in Waiting; Howard Malin - Schmeitzer
Credit
Christopher Hobbs - Costume Designer, Derek Jarman - Director, Tom Priestley - Editor, Nick Barnard - Editor, Chelsea - Composer (Music Score), Suzi Pinns - Composer (Music Score), Christopher Hobbs - Production Designer, John Maybury - Production Designer, Peter Middleton - Cinematographer, Howard Malin - Producer, James Whaley - Producer, John Rogers - Special Effects, Christopher Hobbs - Screenwriter, Derek Jarman - Screenwriter, Adam Ant - Featured Music, Siouxsie and the Banshees - Featured Music, Brian Eno - Featured Music, Amilcar - Featured Music, Maneaters - Featured Music, Wayne County Electric Chairs - Featured Music
In Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth I (Runacre) is transported forward in time by the occultist John Dee (Richard O'Brien) through the spirit guide Ariel (a character from Shakespeare's The Tempest). Elizabeth arrives in the shattered Britain of the 1970s. Queen Elizabeth II is dead, killed in an arbitrary mugging, and Elizabeth I moves through the social and physical decay of the city observing the activities of a group of sporadic nihilists, including Amyl Nitrate (Jordan), Bod (Runacre in a dual role), Chaos (Hermine Demoriane), Crabs (Nell Campbell), and Mad (Toyah Willcox).
The film is heavily influenced by the 1970s punk aesthetic in its style and presentation. Shot in grainy colour, it is largely plotless and episodic.
Reaction
The film had many critics in Britain in punk circles, in which Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood went so far as to manufacture a T-shirt on which was printed her own homophobic open letter to Jarman denouncing the film and his misrepresentations of punk.[1] However, the film is now considered a cult classic and was released by the Criterion Collection, a company that exclusively releases "contemporary classics" on DVDs.
