This film is part of Free
Christmas Play
Taking the lid off the creative process - of a group of theatrically-minded 11-year-olds as they stage the nativity.
Overview
The mischievous participants of this traditional nativity play give it an unusual charm. Amateur director Hazel Swift avoids cloying sentimentality, aiming instead to capture the "electrifying ideal" of creating art. In stark contrast to this progressive atmosphere is the teacher who smilingly blacks a young actor's face for his role as one of the Wise Men - placing the film squarely in its pre-multiculturalist era.
Produced with support from the BFI's Experimental Film Fund, the film marked Swift's first time behind the camera, and her artistic ambitions were relatively grand for such a modest subject. She did acknowledge that the theme of creative production was "so hidden under the straightforward 'play' theme that nobody could possibly be expected to recognise it". Nonetheless, the restrained narration and inventive score by Gordon Jacob lend the film an expressiveness and sense of Yuletide magic.
Related
Toys Will Be Toys Toys Will Be Toys
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1988 5 mins Location: South Shields
Barbie dolls in pink battle khaki killing machines in a Christmas animation that cocks a snook at the “Disney Doctrine”.
Christmas Is Coming Christmas Is Coming
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1951 1 mins Silent
Santa's on strike! This charming animation for the GPO advises early posting to keep Father Christmas onside.
Sports on the Ice Sports on the Ice
Non-Fiction 1917 1 mins Silent
Nannies and nippers compete with seasoned skaters on a frozen pond near London in this charming wintery newsreel.
The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown
Musical 1964 70 mins Location: Liverpool
An incredibly joyous TV musical about a young woman's search for her long-lost cousin.
Premium Bonds: Xmas 1959 Premium Bonds: Xmas 1959
1959 0 mins
The Happy (Christmas) way to save! Santa plugs Premium Bonds in a 'prize-winning' 1950s TV ad.
Goodwill To All Dogs Goodwill To All Dogs
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1960 6 mins
An animated xmas with paper dog Snap
New Perspectives: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror New Perspectives: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Coghlan of Northumbria University explains why FW Murnau's 1922 vampire story is an endlessly intriguing work of art.
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.