Even though it does have some rather nice direction–a miniature posing as a real English village–Glimpses of Old England does not credit a director. One must assume the producer (and narrator) James A. FitzPatrick did not want to distract attention from himself. While he’s a complete egoist, it’s somewhat valid. Glimpses isn’t so much a travelogue as an incomplete lecture on English architecture.
It opens in the Cotswolds, a range of hills with some distinct architecture. FitzPatrick spends half the short talking about them, accompanied by a good score from Joseph Nussbaum and luscious photography from Hone Glendinning and Virgil Miller.
The pacing of this first half is perfect. When FitzPatrick does move on, he’s hurried and without much direction. When Glimpses ends, it does so abruptly. So abruptly, the narration even seems to acknowledge it.
However egotistical, FitzPatrick produces a good short.
Not the best narrator though….
Recommended
CREDITS
Directors of photography, Hone Glendinning and Virgil Miller; music by Joseph Nussbaum; produced by James A. FitzPatrick; released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Narrated by James A. FitzPatrick.
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