The IWM Film Archive is the oldest film archive in the UK, holding over 20,000 hours of film, video and digital material and covering the two World Wars and all conflicts involving British or Commonwealth Forces since the start of the Twentieth Century to the present. Our collection also reflects aspects of civilian life in wartime, military life in peacetime, military exercises and operations.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Down Our Street
The combined effort of three housewives demonstrates to the audience how everyone pulling together could help to overcome the high stakes of war.
From the collection of:
Overview
Three women, all from one street but different class backgrounds, mysteriously congregate at one house. Their paths may rarely have crossed in pre-war society, yet the experience of war appears to have helped remove some of their class prejudices. After all, these three housewives now share a common interest, their sons all serve in the armed forces.
There is much evidence to suggest that the Second World War had a unifying effect on social attitudes in Britain, although to what extent remains a much debated issue. The notion of everyone pulling together, or a ‘people’s war’, is a theme that appears frequently in Ministry of Information films. It was also recognised that film propaganda had a role to play in maintaining a shared identity between government and ordinary people, not wanting any one section of society to feel isolated from the war effort.
Related
Watch for free
Bampton Shows the Way Bampton Shows the Way
Government sponsored film 1941 18 mins Location: Bampton
Patriotic tale of a Devon village winning the war with carrot Christmas cake and granny's favourite recipe.
Watch for free
Another Little Drop... Another Little Drop...
Advert 1942 2 mins
National Flour at the ready: peppy WWII cookery short sponsored by Vim.
Watch for free
Abcd of Health Abcd of Health
Government sponsored film 1942 9 mins
Healthy eating advice goes down easy in this fun public information film.
Watch for free
Wicked Witch (Rinso Advert) Wicked Witch (Rinso Advert)
Advert 1942 2 mins
Only a witch would be wicked enough to help Hitler on washing day, warns this fun wartime soap powder ad.
Watch for free
Make-do-and-mend Make-do-and-mend
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1945 1 mins
A wartime family look on in amazement as their old clothes offer useful advice on how to make their clothing coupons go further.
Watch for free
Potatoes Potatoes
Government sponsored film 1940 6 mins
Austerity Britain reaches for the humble spud in this earnest wartime cookery film.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.