Tuesday, January 20, 2015

New Costume Drama


I was reading Harper's Bazaar the other day and an interesting item caught my eye. It was about the beautiful costumes in a new period film Testament of Youth, just released in the U.K. It stars Alicia Vikander in the central role. The film is based on the book Testament of Youth, Vera Brittain's powerful and moving memoir of World War I. The book was published in England in 1933 and was an instant hit, selling out on its first day of publication. It hit a nerve with the public, capturing the anguish and life-changing drama of the first world war. It was told from the perspective of a young woman who was 22 in 1916. It was the year her fiance was killed on the western front. Her beloved brother and two closest male friends would also be dead by the time the armistice was signed in November 1918.


According to the article, the film adaptation features beautiful period costumes that reflect Vera Brittain's love of fashion. It seems that the young suffragette did not want to dress like a frump and enjoyed spending her wages from her work as a nurse on beautiful pieces of clothing. And although she tells a gut-wrenching story of war and death, there are passages in the book that show Vera as a normal young girl who loved pretty things. The writer quotes a passage in which Brittain buys "a neatly cut navy coat and skirt, a pastel-blue blouse in soft crepe-de-Chine, an unusually becoming fawn felt hat trimmed with crimson berries and a black taffeta dinner-dress with scarlet and mauve velvet flowers tucked into the waist."



When she went to Oxford dressed in pastel silk to take her entrance examinations, she was mocked by the examiner for dressing like a debutante. She soon learned that feminine frocks had no place among the more utilitarian outfits worn by her classmates. However, her career at Oxford was cut short by the war and her life was turned upside down; she left school early to become a nurse and care for wounded soldiers. She never accepted society's expectations for young women and always did her own thing. She held strong political convictions and wanted an education and an independent career. Perhaps the only thing conventional about Vera Brittain was her love of beautiful clothing. This passion is captured in the new film.


I decided to do a little research into Vera Brittain's life since I don't know much about her. There was a television adaptation of Testament of Youth on Masterpiece Theatre many years ago that starred Cheryl Campbell. I remember loving this production, but don't remember many details. This is what I learned.

At the end of the war, after losing her fiance, brother and two closest friends, Brittain vowed to write a book that would immortalise them all. Surprisingly, it took 17 years for her to complete it. Part of the problem was that she tried to write the story as a novel. When that didn't work she decided to write the book as herself and in her own voice. This was a good decision, since at that point the book simply flowed out of her in an honest and heart-wrenching fashion. She told the story of her generation's wartime experiences, focusing on the four young men most important to her who died in the trenches. When the book was published in 1933, it was hailed as a great wartime memoir, the only one told by a woman. Virginia Woolf wrote in her diary of staying up all night to finish it.

After many years as a bestseller, the book fell out of fashion with the outbreak of World War II because of its pacifist philosophy. In the 1970's the publisher Virago reprinted it and the television adaptation was made. Once again the book became hugely popular. But sadly Vera Brittain did not live to see the resurgence of the book's popularity. She died in 1970 thinking that her literary reputation was over. She never knew about the second chapter of her career. Hopefully this film adaptation will enlighten a new generation of readers about her book. Its release feels very timely, considering that last year was the 100 year anniversary of the beginning of World War I.


 I don't know about you, but I am swooning over these images from the piece in Harper's Bazaar. They are a visual feast for anyone who loves vintage fashion. 


The filmmakers have depicted Vera Brittain as a serious young Edwardian woman with an eye for beauty. Go here to read more. 


 Have you read Testament of Youth?
I can't wait to see the film!

18 comments:

  1. Beautiful! I'll have to read the book before watching the film.

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  2. Dear Sunday - I for one cannot wait to see the film, much of which was set in my childhood county of Derbyshire. I have read the book and also the followup book Testament of Friendship. Both my husband and I have been fortunate enough to meet Vera Brittain's daughter, Shirley Williams.

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    1. Rosemary, how lovely that you have that connection to the book and the author. So many people seem to have been touched by this book.

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  3. I know it is unladylike to drool, but, I am; over every exquisite photo, the dress, the detail (oh, the detail), your own sensitive review of the book and of Vera Brittain. Thank you. My library has this and I hope to run over today to snap Testament of Youth and I hope to see this film soon.

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  4. Hi Sunday, is the article from the American Harper's or the Brit version? I just read the latest issue (American) and didn't see it.

    Thank you for alerting me to this lovely-looking film and book!

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    1. Donna, the article is from the website for British Harper's Bazaar. I put in a link in the first paragraph. Enjoy!

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  5. It sounds wonderful. I can't wait to see it. Thank you

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  6. Hi Sunday,

    So happy to see this post. I read Testament of Youth for the first time last year and immediately found a used copy of Testament of Friendship, Britton's second book. Synchronistically, I also discovered the art of Claire Leighton, sister of Britton's first love who was killed in the War. Six degrees of separation, indeed.

    Ann

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    1. Ann, thank you for letting me know about the art of Claire Leighton. It's amazing isn't it, all these connections. I will have to find a copy of Testament of Friendship.

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  7. HARPER's is sitting right HERE arrived the other day!YOU are MY TEACHER............I will find the article!Love the hats especially!I will LOOK for it TOO!!!!!!!!!!

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  8. The film and book sound so beautiful and so heartbreaking. I will absolutely see the film, and the costumes look perfect.

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  9. The trailer is wonderful as well, Sunday! I'm really excited to see this on the big screen, both for the story and the stunning clothes. Have you heard that Julian Fellowes is working on a script for a show about the Gilded Age? Sort of an American Downton Abbey...something else to look forward to.

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    1. Darlene, I will check out the trailer. Yes, I had heard about Julian Fellowes' next project and it can't arrive soon enough!

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  10. Sunday, I am not familiar with Vera Britton. This sounds like something I would enjoy...both the book and movie. I love costume dramas. I am in love with the peach knit tunic. Oh how I would love to find the knitting pattern. And, the hats...I wish we were as comfortable wearing hats...so chic! Thank you for the introduction.

    Thank you for the birthday wishes. This birthday was a bit worrisome, however, I think I've worked through the concerns. I feel like I am in good company. Hugs!

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  11. I am also unfamiliar with Vera Brittain. Thank you for this teaser. Gorgeous photos and introduction to the novel. Getting it. Watching it! (Can't wait)

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  12. I've wanted to read Testament of Youth for a long time. I read one of her novels, The Dark Tide, and enjoyed it so I think it's time to read the memoir. The costumes are just stunning - I'm looking forward to the film!

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  13. The 1979 British series, starring Cheryl Campbell, may be truer to Vera Brittain's tale. Campbell was very convincing as an independent woman. Although I like costume dramas, I get the feeling that the beauty of the actress in the new film will distract from the more feminist -- and also authentic –– message of Brittain' novel.

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