The 1980s British Conspiracy Thriller: Terror Struck by Shadows

Paul Lynch examines the British conspiracy thriller genre in response to the Orwellian secret state, analyzing film and television productions and their influence by Hollywood and European counterparts. He includes declassified intelligence material and interviews with former members of the intelligence community to reveal the extent to which popular television and cinema reflected the inner workings of the security services.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

In his comprehensive exploration of the British conspiracy thriller genre, Paul Lynch delves into a confrontational and dark response to the perceived Orwellian secret state that characterized the political landscape of the time. Through meticulous analyses of a diverse range of film and television productions, Lynch uncovers the influences and inspirations drawn from Hollywood and European counterparts, as well as the influential works of John le Carré. By examining the real-world practices of the British intelligence services, Lynch sheds light on the genres effectiveness in providing meaningful political commentary to mainstream audiences.

Drawing upon extensive interviews with novelists, film producers, screenwriters, and directors, Lynch presents detailed and original case studies of films such as Defense of the Realm (1986), The Whistle Blowers (1986), and The Fourth Protocol (1987). In addition to these case studies, Lynch incorporates declassified intelligence material and interviews with former members of the intelligence community to unveil the extent to which popular television and cinema accurately reflected the inner workings of the security services during that era. This book holds particular appeal to scholars of film studies, cultural history, political science, and adaptation studies.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666913156