Film: A Cottage on Dartmoor (1929)

Five-piece band, Wurlitza, will present a modern twist to this silent film accompaniment by adding music that will be arranged in a way that is novel and fresh. Their unique approach utilises their wide-ranging repertoire of original, pop, jazz, classical, indie and everything in between.

'A Cottage On Dartmoor' is a story of love, jealousy and manicures. Made in 1929 by the young Anthony Asquith, the film explores the latest craze at the time: the talkies. One of the last silent films to be made, it is early British cinema at its best.

Said to ‘Out Hitchcock Hitchcock’, Asquith uses every cinematic trick available to create a story of jealousy and suspense. It is a snapshot of early talking films, cleverly woven into a plot that involves an escaped convict, a love triangle and, naturally, hairdressing. Asquith builds many layers of ambiguity, acknowledging that it is possible to be torn between two people, that happiness is relative, while touching on themes of loneliness, lust and mental illness. Ultimately, however, this is a film about love: its joys as well as its ravages.

The continuous soundtrack throughout this film includes classical pieces by Mozart, Chopin and Villa Lobos, alongside jazz and pop songs from the likes of Blondie, Right Said Fred, Buddy Holly and Coldplay.

Wurlitza have performed their unique live silent film soundtracks to critical acclaim throughout the South West and beyond, wowing audiences at Glastonbury Festival in 2016 and Blackpool Film Festival in 2017. Expect the unexpected!

Director: Anthony Asquith
Cast: Norah Baring, Uno Henning
Running time: 88 mins
Cert: PG

www.plymouth.ac.uk/whats-on/film-a-cottage-on-dartmoor-1929

Ticket information: £6/£4.20/Friends free/UoP students free via SPiA