Smashing Time! Those British Mod Movies of the 1960s!

The direction of American films during the 1960s reached a turning point with "Easy Rider" (1969) and "Woodstock" (1970). Hollywood studios were slow in recognizing the Vietnam War, social upheval and protest, flower power, acid rock and hippies. "Easy Rider" ignited a wave of films reflective of the era that has not diminished. So American youths could not be expect to see what was currently happening in reality being reflected on the screen.

During the 1960s, if you were not into Frankie and Annette at the beach, you were most likely thinking British. The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Herman's Hermits, miniskirts, Twiggy, Carnaby Street. What was hip was happening in London and Americans had to catch up on trends by imitating the endless parade of British pop stars and going to be British films.

The British film industry rolled along with James Bond spy thrillers, Hammer horror and farces. There is a unique group of films that can be loosely labeled British Mod pictures. They were fun, super hip and loaded with new talent showing audiences what was happening now. The songs were current hits and miniskirts were not yesterday's costumes but everyday wear.

Much of that new wave of talent are still working today. There was a new generation of filmmakers like Richard Lester, Kenneth Loach and Michael Winner. The acting pool was dazzling array of new stars Julie Christie, Lynn and Vanessa Redgrave, Rita Tushingham, Oliver Reed, Carol White, Michael York and Dudley Moore. Key story ingredients were young often disenchanted characters, music, discotheques, London, wild times and fun seeking. Girls wore minis and boys emulated long haired pop stars. British filmmakers avoided the violent mods versus rockers riots until "Quadrophenia" (1979).

The following are examples of the best of British Mod pictures and many were critically well received on both shores. For those enjoying these films there still exists the excitement of revolutionary new trends in fashion and music.