SUZI PINNS “RULE BRITTANIA” (1977)
originally “Rule, Brittania”, a poem by James Thomsen; set to music in 1740 by Thomas Arne
cover version appears on Jubilee: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Virgin, 1977)
Greetings and apologies for my absence.
Two weeks ago, I was extremely pleased to find a copy of the Jubilee soundtrack at my local used records & bookstore, Normals’ in Baltimore. My digital copy has been well worn; this soundtrack is truly exceptional. Derek Jarman’s 1977 film, touted as “the first punk rock movie” (to the chagrin of designer Vivienne Westwood, who was probably the most vociferous opponent of the film) has become a personal favorite, less for the film’s content, but more for its visual style and the fantastic music.
Featured players in the film include Toyah Willcox (aka Toyah, aka wife of Robert Fripp of King Crimson and SW favorites, The League of Gentlemen), Little Nell (Rocky Horror Picture Show, Shock Treatment, “Do the Swim”), Hermine Demoriane, Wayne/Jayne County & the Electric Chairs (!!!), and a young, gorgeous Stuart Goddard aka Adam Ant. Bands making cameo appearances in the film—Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Slits (as a girl street gang). The ever-brilliant Richard O’Brien has a minor, yet important role. To boot, the entire thing was scored by Brian Eno. OUTRAGEOUS!
“Rule Brittania” is an old British patriotic jam. For Jubilee, Suzi Pinns (aka Sex shopgirl, Jordan, who stars as “historian” Amyl Nitrate) performs an operatic dub rendition for wickedly flamboyant media mogul Borgia Ginz (Orlando) and her Daughters of God gang-mate Bod (Jenny Runacre) at a talent contest.
Suzi Pinns also offers up a re-imagining of “Jerusalem” on the soundtrack, based on the traditional hymn.
If you aren’t familiar with the work of Derek Jarman, Jubilee is a good start—it’s a wild, wild film. If you’re not so inclined, definitely DEFINITELY lay your ears on the soundtrack.
More about Jubilee at Criterion, including an essay by Tilda Swinton (!!!!!!!!)
