The representation of communism in post-war British film, theatre, and art 1945-1963
In contrast to previous cold war studies which have focussed on propaganda and the cultural contest between the USA and USSR, this thesis demonstrates how British film, theatre, and art marginalised communism, and by association political radicalism, through the reinforcement of dominant negative stereotypes. This thesis examines how largely negative portrayals of communism reflected the views of their creators: individuals and groups who were not part of the official state apparatus, but were illustrating their own perception of the communist threat. It is therefore a cultural examination of the visual portrayal of a political ideology within British film, theatre and art. Through the use of recognisable stereotypes, communism was demonised through a variety of guises: from aggressive and sinister domestic militants through to the portrayal of communism as being âun-Britishâ and a challenge to traditional values and beliefs. Although such anti-communist representations were dominant, more sympathetic portrayals gradually emerged, such as the naive, the gullible or those simply disillusioned and seeking change. Through a determined eclectic analysis of a broad range of sources from film, theatre and art
Clulow, Jacqueline
The representation of communism in post-war British film, theatre, and art 1945-1963. In contrast to previous cold war studies which have focussed on propaganda and the cultural contest between the USA and USSR, this thesis demonstrates how British film, theatre, and art marginalised communism, and by association political radicalism, through the reinforcement of dominant negative stereotypes. This thesis examines how largely negative portrayals of communism reflected the views of their creators: individuals and groups who were not part of the official state apparatus, but were illustrating their own perception of the communist threat. It is therefore a cultural examination of the visual portrayal of a political ideology within British film, theatre and art. Through the use of recognisable stereotypes, communism was demonised through a variety of guises: from aggressive and sinister domestic militants through to the portrayal of communism as being âun-Britishâ and a challenge to traditional values and beliefs. Although such anti-communist representations were dominant, more sympathetic portrayals gradually emerged, such as the naive, the gullible or those simply disillusioned and seeking change. Through a determined eclectic analysis of a broad range of sources from film, theatre and art
representation communism post_war british film theatre art contrast_previous cold_war study_focus propaganda cultural contest usa ussr demonstrate british film theatre art marginalise communism association political radicalism reinforcement dominant negative stereotype examines largely negative portrayal communism reflect view creator individual_group part official state_apparatus illustrate perception communist threat therefore cultural examination visual portrayal political_ideology within british film theatre art use recognisable stereotype communism variety guise aggressive domestic militant portrayal communism british challenge_traditional value belief although anti communist representation dominant sympathetic portrayal gradually emerge naive simply disillusion seek change determine eclectic analysis broad_range source film theatre art