Unit F631: Film Text and Context Section B: Cinema in Context

The rise of the blockbuster, format wars and multiplexes (1972 – 1984)

A choice of 2 questions (examples) 

The focus is on putting the key case study films (Godfather, Jaws, Star Wars, Texas Chainsaw Massacre) IN CONTEXT of...

Technology (SFX, home video etc)

Socio-political (Multiplexes, Regulation/BBFC)

Economic (Blockbusters earn big revenue, big budget, merchandising)

changes that affected their  

Production (the ways they are made and reasons for making them),  

Distribution ('hype' & advertising and getting them 'out there' to the public/cinemas/video rental)

Exhibition/Exchange (screening them to an audience, box office sales)

1. What factors led to the decline of town or city centre cinemas in the late 1970s and early 1980s? [30]

 

Factors that led to the decline of town or city centre cinemas in the late 1970s and early 1980 might include discussion of:

• Changing population patterns linked to economic upheavals during the period
• Rise of a range of other leisure opportunities for film audiences.

• The emergence of the multiplex / megaplex cinemas in out-of-town locations / shopping centres / retail parks in the UK in the 1980s onwards and the decline of city / town centre ‘fleapit’ cinemas.
• The arrival of blockbuster films (e.g. The Godfather (1972), Jaws (1975), Star Wars (1977) and the ensuing developments in production, distribution and exhibition.

2. “Film censorship is motivated by fears about audiences and technologies.” Discuss this statement in reference to the concerns expressed about uncensored and unregulated video content in Britain in the early 1980s. [30]

The concerns expressed about uncensored and unregulated video content in Britain in the early 1980s might include discussion of :
• The pro-censorship discourse as raised by groups such as the National Viewers and Listeners Association and MPs who advocated the introduction of restrictive laws for access to films on video
• The level of take-up amongst the UK population of home video technologies in the period.

• The dawning of the home video age - format wars (VHS and Betamax) and the moral panic about the uncensored and unregulated video content and the ensuing move to statutory regulation of film in the home.