Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Building a New Society

New Elizabethans with Andrew Marr Series 1
Episode 1 of 3

Andrew Marr examines the way in which Britain went from a rigid, class-obsessed society in the 1950s toward a more liberal, inclusive, egalitarian society in the latter part of the Queen鈥檚 reign.

Andrew Marr examines the way Britain went from a rigid, deferential, hierarchical, patriarchal and class-obsessed society in the 1950s toward a more liberal, inclusive, egalitarian society in the latter part of the Queen鈥檚 reign. It is the story of the permissive society, of changing attitudes toward homosexuality, sexuality, gender and race, of a breaking down of class barriers and the growing equality won by women in the workplace.

But it isn鈥檛 an unfettered story of positivity and progress. Many liberties have been won at a cost and in the face of fierce criticism. This programme takes in both sides of that debate: the liberal victories of the 鈥榩ermissive society鈥� as well as the ferocious backlash of middle England at the perceived erosion of family values.

It is a film that delves into some unexpected stories 鈥� all of which shine a light on a society in flux. Andrew sees how Nancy Mitford鈥檚 light-hearted guide to the difference between upper-class and vulgar language sounded the death knell of an old world. He sees how a former cavalry officer, who reported the conquest of Everest by Hillary and Tenzing in 1953, proved a harbinger of perhaps the most radical change of the era as James Morris became Jan Morris - historian, journalist and a pioneering transgender role model for the new Elizabethan age.

Andrew also looks at the divergent lives of two women who made us confront our attitudes to gender, sexuality and power - movie starlet Diana Dors and wannabe movie starlet Ruth Ellis, who achieved fame of a completely different kind. And Andrew also sees how social upheaval 鈥� breaking class barriers and social/sexual taboos alike 鈥� was championed in Westminster by the likes of Roy Jenkins, reflected on our television screens and theatres by performers like Graham Chapman and rejected in the heart of middle England by moral crusaders like Mary Whitehouse.

59 minutes

Last on

Tue 31 May 2022 02:30
主播大秀 Four

More episodes

Previous

You are at the first episode

Next

A Brave New WorldSeries 1

See all episodes from New Elizabethans with Andrew Marr

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:06

    Andy Williams

    High Upon A Mountain

  • 00:06

    The Mantovani Orchestra

    Autumn Leaves

  • 00:08

    Ray Martin

    Dream Of Yesterday

  • 00:09

    Fats Domino

    Blueberry Hill

  • 00:10

    Fats Domino

    Blueberry Hill

  • 00:12

    Don Rondo

    Two Different Worlds

  • 00:13

    Ron Goodwin

    Limelight

  • 00:15

    Eddie Cochran

    Summertime Blues

  • 00:17

    Vince Taylor, The Playboys

    Brand New Cadillac

  • 00:18

    The Clovers

    Blue Velvet

  • 00:20

    Elvis Presley

    Blue Moon

  • 00:22

    Julie Dawn, Cyril Stapleton

    Blue Star (Medic Theme)

  • 00:25

    The Shadows

    Apache

  • 00:26

    The Shadows

    Apache

  • 00:28

    The Animals

    It's My Life

  • 00:30

    The Searchers

    Needles and Pins

  • 00:31

    Pink Floyd

    Pigs (Three Different Ones)

  • 00:33

    Pink Floyd

    The Great Gig In The Sky

  • 00:34

    The Adicts

    Mary Whitehouse

  • 00:37

    Harry Secombe

    All Things Bright and Beautiful

  • 00:39

    The Kinks

    I'm Not Like Everybody Else

  • 00:41

    Cymande

    Bird

  • 00:42

    Cream

    Strange Brew聽

  • 00:43

    Them

    It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

  • 00:44

    The Who

    The Seeker (Glastonbury 2015)

  • 00:46

    Marvin Gaye

    Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)

  • 00:35

    Richard Thompson & Linda Thompson

    I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight

  • 00:47

    Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

    Souvenir

  • 00:48

    Culture Club

    Church Of The Poison Mind

  • 00:49

    Culture Club

    Church Of The Poison Mind

  • 00:49

    The Jesus and Mary Chain

    Just Like Honey

  • 00:52

    Oasis

    Up In The Sky

  • 00:53

    Pulp

    Common People

  • 00:53

    Martina Topley鈥怋ird

    Lying

  • 00:55

    Suede

    She's In Fashion

  • 00:56

    Nick Drake

    Bryter Layter

  • 00:57

    Damien Rice

    The Blowers' Daughter

  • 00:59

    Tears for Fears

    Sowing The Seeds Of Love

Credits

Presenter Andrew Marr
Series Producer Alexander Leith
Executive Producer Denys Blakeway
Editor Damian Leask
Production Manager Helen Swindells
Director Alexander Leith
Narrator Andrew Marr

Broadcasts

Featured in...