Nationwide Vehicle Contracts examines how cars have been used in period movies throughout the ages.
Everyone loves a film that takes us back in time and shows us how folk of the past used to live. But as petrol heads, it gets us on the edge of our seats when a few classic cars turn up. Nothing beats seeing the interior design of yesteryear or hearing the roar of a classic engine.
Period movie production teams take a lot of time researching and securing classic cars for their movies, so it's only right we appreciate their work!
From the turn of the 20th century to the modern day, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts delves into how cars have been used in period movies and evolved over time.
The Early Days of Cinema
The first genre of film to grab widespread popularity was the silent comedy films of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Laurel and Hardy. What made these films so popular was that no audio was needed, the actors would act silly to make the audience laugh, and everyone loved it!
Cars added to the comedy by either running off course and crashing or not working. Laurel and Hardy used this to great effect, with many of their skits, including the two dealing catastrophic damage to their Ford Model T or completely falling apart to the amusement of the audience.
The Golden Age of British Cinema
Move forward to post-war cinema, and cars are beginning to have much more of an influence in film. The Third Man (1949) was one of the most popular period films of its era and used cars to symbolise the two main characters' influence in Vienna.
The villain, Harry Lime, drives a black Ford V8, symbolising his power and influence in the city. Whereas the protagonist, Holly Martins, is driven around by various characters in a range of cheaper cars, emphasising his vulnerability and lack of control. Although the cars used in the film are beautiful, they have a deeper meaning, which makes it all the better for the viewer.
A similar representation of cars was used in Brighton Rock (1947), where cars highlighted the class divide between the film's main villain, Pinkie Brown, and other characters. However, the scenes that grabbed the viewers' attention were the classic car chases around Brighton.
The 1945 film Brief Encounter is one of the UK's best productions, and although the classic cars in the film look great, they portray more than what meets the eye. In the film, cars are used to symbolise the freedom of the main characters, with Laura wanting some adventure and Alec showing his independence.
The opposite of this is seen in The Ladykillers (1955). About a gang of criminals who rent a cul-de-sac to plan a heist, the cars in the film emphasise the gang's amateurishness and incompetence. All gang members drive run-down and unprofessional cars, and the film climaxes with a car chase, where the gang's car is too slow, and police easily catch them.
Finally, we must talk about the Bond franchise. After appearing on our screens with Dr. No in 1962, the British spy film uses a variety of high-performance and exotic cars to emphasise the luxurious lifestyle of 007. The cars in the Bond films were often used in high-speed chases, which used advancements in cinematography to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
The most iconic car used in the Bond films is the Aston Martin DB5, which is loved by fans all across the world.
Modern Times
Since the turn of the 21st century, British cinema has released some hugely popular period dramas such as The King's Speech, Downton Abby, and Peaky Blinders. The authenticity and accuracy of the era's cars were essential to their success, with production teams absolutely nailing it.
The King's Speech is set in the 1930s and revolves around George VI's effort to overcome his stammer. It features several luxury cars of the era, such as a 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II, a 1928 Austin Six, and a 1936 Daimler. The car design's accuracy helps contribute to the film's historical authenticity.
Downton Abby and Peaky Blinders are polar opposites in terms of their plot, but they're both set in post-WW1 Britain and use cars as a sign of wealth. The leader of the Peaky Blinders gang, Tommy Shelby, is seen driving a 1919 Daimler Touring Car, which was considered a luxury at the time. Tommy is often seen driving through Birmingham, with most people looking up and admiring his wealth because of his car.
In Downton Abby, we see the transition from horse-drawn carriages to automobiles, with classic cars such as Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, and Daimlers appearing throughout the series.
Conclusion
Cars have had quite a journey in the film industry. They first came to prominence in the silent comedy films of the early 20th century, where they were often destroyed or damaged for amusement value.
Moving into the post-WW2 era, cars became focal points in drama and action movies, providing excitement and keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The arrival of the Bond franchise led film directors to move towards 'cool' cars such as Aston Martin, which looked good and got the audience's attention.
With the widespread popularity of period dramas, viewers are looking for accuracy and detail when seeing cars from the past. A production team nailing the design of a historical car can contribute to the acclaim of the film, something which has been seen in The King's Speech and Peaky Blinders.
What's your favourite car in a period movie? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts produce a range of blogs on TV and film, such as The Cars of Our Favourite Sitcoms and Cars in Crime Fiction.
