Description

Book Synopsis
Mike Leigh may well be Britain’s greatest living film director; his worldview has permeated our national consciousness. Written with the co-operation of Leigh himself, this book gives detailed readings of the nine feature films he has made for the cinema, as well as an overview of his work for television.

Table of Contents

Introduction: ‘You’ve gotta laugh’
1. ‘Really wants to direct’: formative years
2. ‘A kind of language’: Bleak Moments
3. ‘A long time in the womb’: the TV films
4. ‘A different world’: High Hopes
5. ‘So long as you’re happy’: Life is Sweet
6. ‘The future is now’: Naked
7. ‘Welcome to the family’: Secrets and Lies
8. ‘All these memories’: Career Girls
9. ‘Laughter – tears – curtain’: Topsy-Turvy
10. ‘Life’s too short’: All or Nothing
11. ‘Out of the kindness of her heart’: Vera Drake
Conclusion: ‘The journey continues’
Filmography

Mike Leigh British Film Makers British Film

    Product form

    £27.86

    Includes FREE delivery

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Wed 24 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback by Tony Whitehead

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Mike Leigh British Film Makers British Film by Tony Whitehead

      Publisher: Manchester University Press
      Publication Date: 5/1/2007 12:00:00 AM
      ISBN13: 9780719072376, 978-0719072376
      ISBN10: 0719072379

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Mike Leigh may well be Britain’s greatest living film director; his worldview has permeated our national consciousness. Written with the co-operation of Leigh himself, this book gives detailed readings of the nine feature films he has made for the cinema, as well as an overview of his work for television.

      Table of Contents

      Introduction: ‘You’ve gotta laugh’
      1. ‘Really wants to direct’: formative years
      2. ‘A kind of language’: Bleak Moments
      3. ‘A long time in the womb’: the TV films
      4. ‘A different world’: High Hopes
      5. ‘So long as you’re happy’: Life is Sweet
      6. ‘The future is now’: Naked
      7. ‘Welcome to the family’: Secrets and Lies
      8. ‘All these memories’: Career Girls
      9. ‘Laughter – tears – curtain’: Topsy-Turvy
      10. ‘Life’s too short’: All or Nothing
      11. ‘Out of the kindness of her heart’: Vera Drake
      Conclusion: ‘The journey continues’
      Filmography

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account