Never Apologise: an exhibition from the Lindsay Anderson Archive

The University of Stirling’s 2023 Culture on Campus exhibition celebrates the life and work of one of the most distinctive British filmmakers of the twentieth century. Born in Bangalore, India, in 1923 Lindsay Anderson reflected British life and society through the lens of a series of remarkable films including This Sporting Life (1963), O Lucky Man! (1972) and If…. (1969), a poetic and surreal vision of revolt and rebellion at a public school, and one of the key British films of the 1960s.

Anderson’s contribution to British cultural life extended to his work as a film critic, author and theatre director. He was part of the generation that transformed the post-war cultural and artistic world in the 1950s and 1960s.

Never Apologise marks the centenary of Anderson’s birth by opening up the extensive collection of his personal and working papers held in the University of Stirling Archives. It presents an archival journey through Anderson’s filmmaking career tracing the documentary grit, Hollywood glamour and critical struggles of a life lived behind the camera. The exhibition features fresh new insights into Anderson’s life and work through contributions from actors, artists, academics and curators.

These personal responses to Anderson and his archive include memories of working with the director, favourite scenes from his films, overlooked aspects of his career and archival discoveries, all illustrated with previously unseen documents and photographs from a unique cinematic collection.

The exhibition is on display in the Macrobert Art House from 23 January to 30 April 2023 and will be accompanied by events and screenings which will provide further opportunities to find out more about Anderson’s career and celebrate his work.

Culture on Campus is a collaboration between the Art Collection, University Archives and the Macrobert Arts Centre which aims to develop a creative environment where creative thinking and creative acts are at the heart of our identity as a place of learning.

The Lindsay Anderson Archive

The Lindsay Anderson Archive was deposited with the University of Stirling Archives in 2003 and forms part of its extensive holdings relating to filmmaking. The collection provides a comprehensive record of Anderson’s personal and working lives.

It includes detailed correspondence, production notes, scripts, photographs, promotional material and press cuttings relating to all of his films and forty theatre productions he directed. Personal material includes diaries, memorabilia, photographs and awards, along with his personal library of books and VHS collection.

The University of Stirling Archives

Located in the University Library, the University Archives collects, preserves and makes accessible material across a wide range of research areas.