The Gravediggers Flashcards
How did the concerns over the Cold War and spying influence “The Gravediggers”?
plot centres around the attempted destruction of Britain’s defence system
- familiar themes of disguise, Emma peel disguises herself as a nurse
uses political context and Cold War but creates a light-hearted comedy
- comedic dialogue
- references to James Bond
Emma Peel being tied to a railway track is an intertextual reference to the Perils of Pauline
jaunty piano music/miniature train mocks the enemy agents
What genre is “The Gravediggers”?
light-hearted spy thriller
How is Emma Peel sexually objectified?
Emma Peel wears a black leather catsuit, high-angle long shot of Emma spreadeagled in the railway track
stereotypical representation of women
Proppian ‘princess’ as she is waiting to be rescued by Steed, while she’s tied to the railway track
How is Emma Peel presented as an anti-stereotype?
- Emma Peels explains the radar-blocking system to Steed/highly intelligent woman
- Emma throws the villa into the lake with her crossed legs, final action scene
- Emma Peel struggles to free herself rather than passively waiting to be rescued as a stereotypical ‘damsel in distress’
How did the changing attitudes towards sexuality influence “The Gravediggers”?
Emma Peel is confident in her sexuality, seen as an equal
reflects social changes, ideological tension
heterosexual relationships reflects the marginalisation of the LGBTQ+ community before gay liberation
How did the changing attitudes towards class influence “The Gravediggers”?
Steed represents the upper-class, bowler hat and brolly
Emma represents the youth of ‘swinging London’
they both embrace, encourage social changes and attitudes
How did the changing attitudes towards age influence “The Gravediggers”?
older generation disliked the changing attitudes, this is known as the ‘generation gap’
Emma Peel represents the values of ‘swinging London’ and Steed represents the values of older generation
Steed:
Bowler hat- connotes tradition and respectability/symbol of ‘British City’ gentleman
Steed is committed to his work, thorough - associated with the older generation
How does Emma Peel represent the ‘Swinging Sixties’?
- mini-dress (cutting-edge fashion)
- Black leather catsuit objectifies her body
- mini-shift dress symbol of ‘swinging sixtes’ liberated young woman
impersonated a nurse which shows her commitment
stereotypical representation
- flirtatious way with Steed
- stereotypically attractive
What is the ideological tension focusing on gender?
emerging feminist movement and traditional views of women’s roles
What was the Cuban Missile Crisis
USA and Soviet Union nearly began a nuclear war
