HIT: British movies and BritList continued

[Suby Wallace <swallace@NIC.CRSC.K12.AR.US>]

Here is a hit of the suggestions I received about British movies to watch
before our trip this summer, to help my girls get a better "feel" for the
history of some of the places we'll visit.

I don't have any suggestions, although it might be fun to introduce your
daughters to British humor by showing them such classics as "The Lavender
Hill Mob" and other British comedies.

For movies to watch--there are lots, but how about anne of the
Thousand Days (about Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII), the PBS series on
Elizabeth I, "Upstairs, Downstairs,"  and there are some good movies
about Britain in World War II, like Mrs. Miniver.

You might like Howard's End.  Very good.

Rob Roy
Anne of the Thousand Days (Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII)

Dear Ms. Wallace...It's an old movie but a good one and very romantic..The
>Ghost Goes West with Robert Donat.  Pre WWII and quite silly but I have
>certainly thought of it while staying in old hotels, inns, and country
>houses in Scotland in the years since I first saw it. Try the Rosemary
>Sutcliffe historical novels for children.  They are sooo good.  Don't
>forget films of Robin Hood, Ivanhoe,
>Jane Eyre.  But the way I would suggest you try Sudeley Castle...it is in
>the Cotswalds near Cheltenham.  We visited only because my school in
>Virginia is named after a sub-division which is named after a Plantation
>that was named after this castle.  Serendiply, it turned out to be the last
>home of Katerine Parr, the last wife of Henry VIII and she is buried there,
>it had its roof taken off in the English civil war, fell into decay, was
>sold to a Scottish merchant family who also lost their money and the last
>heir died young leaving an American wife and two young children.  She looks
>very like Jackie Kennedy did...stayed to raise the kids, save the castle,
>married one of her husband old friends.  The old sections of the castle
>de-roofed by Cromwell have been turned into rose filled walled garden
>rooms...the castle is known for its commercial rose nursery and garden
>shop. I liked it because an American lady saved such a lovely castle
>thruogh ingenuity and hard work.  The entire area around the castle for
>miles is exquisite, expensive and groomed to the last blade of grass and
>has been for the last 2000 years.  Have fun, Nancy Brown Supler
>
The new version of Emma, screenplay by Emma wife of Kenneth Branaugh, is
great.  Your daughters will love it.  More later.

If they are good readers, or for a read aloud, do Sarum.  It is a
>Michener type of book and when you are done you know all British
>history.  My 15 year old loved it and then we went to see Old Sarum and
>Salsbury Cathedral etd.   Also she loved looking for King Arthur
>sites--be sure not to miss having them see Camelot--and then go to
>Glastenbury--very cultish and fun for teens.  All sorts of new age--get
>in touch with earth forces stuff and Arthur's burial place.  We also
>loved Avebury.  You can touch the great stones there, unlike
>Stonehenge where everything is off limits.  There are some neat burial
>sites close by too.

And, here's a letter sent after Becky Mather got the 2 BritLists, then went
to England, came back and reported:

Suby-
>
>Here's my report of our 10 days in England:
>
>Oxford- crowded but interesting.  Lots of used book stores, which I love
>Stratford- so-so.  Too commercialized
>Warwick Castle- neat!
>Cotswolds area- scenic & quaint
>Stoke-on-Trent- an ugly big city.  Pottery factories like Wedgewood, Royal
>Doulton are super expensive
>Sheffield- not impressive, just had business there
>Haworth, W. Yorkshire-  the Bronte home is fascinating
>Canterbury- cathedral is cool.  Crowded with French people on the weekends.
>If you are into Teddy bears, there are lots here.
>Maidstone-  excellent rare book store
>We didn't do anything in London.  We spent several days in Darbyshire
>working on geneaology.  It's a picturesque part of the country.  We stayed
>in B&B's, most of which were very good.  In the summer, things will be
>busier of course.  The Tourist Information Centers are found in most towns
>of decent size and can make reservations for lodging for you.
>
>We had a wonderful time.  The people were all very friendly and helpful, and
>the food was good.  You will absolutely love it!
>
>Becky
>Becky Mather, Media Specialist

Thanks to all who contributed!  I now have at least three months worth of
places to go, and I'm only going to be there 3 weeks.  Oh, decisions!



Suby Weston Wallace
Nettleton Intermediate Center  (grades 5-6)
3801 Vera
Jonesboro, AR   72401           swallace@nic.crsc.k12.ar.us