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A Brave New World

New Elizabethans with Andrew Marr Series 1
Episode 2 of 3

Andrew Marr explores how Britain since 1952 has coped with the loss of empire, America's cultural and political hegemony, and the rise of a consolidated European superstate.

The second programme in the series looks at the way in which a colourful collection of New Elizabethans have sought to come to terms with Britain鈥檚 decline as a world power since 1952, to project British values and influence abroad, and to ensure Britain鈥檚 ongoing relevance at a time when so much seems to be slipping away. How have we coped with the loss of empire, American cultural and political hegemony, and the rise of a consolidated European superstate? These are issues that the British have wrestled with since the Queen ascended the throne in 1952, and which continue to divide and occupy us to this day.

Andrew Marr explores how Britain 鈥� a highly militarised nation with a vast standing army and formidable navy in 1952 鈥� saw her power and influence crumble. Britain emerged from the Second World War broke, vastly in debt to the United States, and with an empire that was vanishing fast. Over the next 50 years, we lost an empire and gained a commonwealth, we fought to maintain our position and influence as a nuclear power, even as our armed forces were decimated by cuts, and we saw our society transformed by immigration, from the workplace to the high street.

It is the story of how we replaced hard military power with soft cultural power. How the sun began to set on the British empire, casting a rapidly lengthening shadow. And how we struck an uneasy alliance with American influence, cherishing the special relationship whilst agonising over the Americanisation of British society and values. Likewise, the reign of Elizabeth II has seen an uneasy flirtation with Europe as we embraced the sights, sounds and tastes of the continent - from food and wine to cheap holidays in the sun - but remained critically divided over membership of the political and economic club.

New Elizabethans profiled include familiar figures like Earl Mountbatten of Burma, cookery writer Elizabeth David and singer and activist Bob Geldof, as well as less familiar figures like Colonel Colin 鈥楳ad Mitch鈥� Mitchell and pioneering peace campaigner Helen John.

59 minutes

Last on

Wed 1 Jun 2022 02:30
主播大秀 Four

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Building a New SocietySeries 1

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Made in BritainSeries 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

  • 00:05

    The Queen's Hall Light Orchestra: Robert Farnon

    State Occasion

  • 00:07

    Richard Berry and The Pharaohs

    Louie Louie

  • 00:08

    The Virtues

    Guitar Boogie Shuffle

  • 00:10

    Artie Shaw

    Nightmare

  • 00:11

    Robert Farnon

    Hymn To The Commonwealth

  • 00:16

    The Jimi Hendrix Experience

    All Along The Watchtower

  • 00:17

    The Byrds

    Eight Miles High

  • 00:18

    Ambrose and His Orchestra

    You've Got Me Crying Again

  • 00:20

    Manuel & His Music of the Mountains

    Al Di La

  • 00:21

    Andr茅 Rieu

    Bella Tarantella

  • 00:22

    Jula de Palma

    La Siepe

  • 00:23

    Neil Sedaka

    Love Will Keep Us Together

  • 00:25

    Badfinger

    Come & Get It

  • 00:27

    Eagles

    One of These Nights

  • 00:28

    David Bowie

    Sweet Thing

  • 00:31

    Linda Ronstadt

    When Will I Be Loved

  • 00:33

    David Soul

    Silver Lady

  • 00:34

    The Rolling Stones

    Wild Horses

  • 00:36

    Creedence Clearwater Revival

    Green River

  • 00:37

    Neil Young

    Ohio

  • 00:38

    Marmalade

    Reflections Of My Life

  • 00:40

    The Boomtown Rats

    I Don't Like Mondays

  • 00:42

    Band Aid

    Do They Know It's Christmas?

  • 00:42

    Band Aid

    Do They Know It's Christmas?

  • 00:43

    Tears for Fears

    Shout

  • 00:46

    The Jam

    A Town Called Malice

  • 00:39

    Television

    Elevation

  • 00:48

    Kate Bush

    Army Dreamers

  • 00:49

    Duran Duran

    Save A Prayer

  • 00:50

    Tears for Fears

    Mad World

  • 00:51

    Chilly Gonzales

    Myth Me

  • 00:53

    The Troggs

    Wild Thing

  • 00:54

    Bahareque

    La Llegada

  • 00:55

    Hans Zimmer, Jacob Shea & David Fleming

    The Blue Planet

  • 00:57

    Hans Zimmer, Jacob Shea & David Fleming

    Albatross Flight

  • 00:59

    Foals

    Alabaster

Credits

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

Broadcasts