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British Propaganda Film
How film has been put to work to shape attitudes at home and promote British interests abroad.
For much of the modern democratic era, film has been the single most powerful mass medium. Its power to blend fact, fantasy and fiction into novel and attention-grabbing forms, together with its emotional directness, has made it the perfect medium for propaganda. Whether fighting wars, shaping behaviour or attempting to embed particular social values, the propaganda film has become a ubiquitous component of our media landscape.
This collection explores the long history of film propaganda in Britain, spanning not just war (hot or Cold) and peacetime, but also public health campaigns, pop culture, empire and decolonisation. On the way, it illustrates how, as the modern state has changed in its reach and scope, so have the forms, formats and uses of the propaganda film.
London Line Colour No. 16 London Line Colour No. 16
Cinemagazine 1968 14 mins Silent Location: Surbiton
What do "I'm Backing Britain", electronic music and nuclear lighthouses have in common? Nothing at all, but they're all here in this 60s TV magazine show.
Nurse and Martyr Nurse and Martyr
Biopic 1915 11 mins Silent
The moving true story of wartime heroine Nurse Edith Cavell, recreated in the aftermath of her execution.
Zandra Rhodes Zandra Rhodes
Government sponsored film 1981 15 mins
Early 1980s portrait of fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, by fellow avant-garde creator, Peter Greenaway.
Battle Front in Britain Battle Front in Britain
Documentary 1918 24 mins Silent
Growing potatoes in Green Park plus some handy uses for your old tin cans – it’s all part of the war effort on the home front.
The Queen's State Visit to Iran The Queen's State Visit to Iran
Documentary 1961 14 mins
2-6 March 1961 saw the Queen and Prince Philip make their first and only state visit to Iran. Their host was Mohammed Reza Pahlavi (1919-80), the Shah of Iran, who had already made an official visit to Britain in 1959.
Spare Time Spare Time
Documentary 1939 14 mins Location: Sheffield
A rare glimpse into the leisure pursuits of ordinary people in pre-war Britain.
Listen to Britain Listen to Britain
Government sponsored film 1942 20 mins
Humphrey Jennings and Stewart McAllister's masterly collage of the various people and classes of Britain - at home and at work, at war and at peace - is one of the great films of war-time Britain.
Aids - Monolith Aids - Monolith
Public Information Filler 1987 1 mins
Portentous imagery and John Hurt’s grave voiceover define this key film from a £5 million campaign to combat the AIDS epidemic.
Coughs and Sneezes Coughs and Sneezes
Public Information Filler 1945 1 mins
One of Richard Massingham’s most famous public information films, which lead to the ubiquitous mantra: "Coughs and Sneezes Spread Diseases".
Your Very Good Health Your Very Good Health
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1948 9 mins
Long before the ‘Charley Says’ campaign of the 1970s and ‘80s, another cartoon Charley was used to demystify the newly created NHS.
Salute to Farmers Salute to Farmers
Documentary 1941 14 mins
With feeding the nation a wartime priority, agricultural workers are heralded as soldiers of the plough.
If War Should Come If War Should Come
Public Information Filler 1939 10 mins
With its soothing Elgar soundtrack and calm commentary, this retrospectively poignant public information film aimed to reassure a pre-war Britain.
Start a Land Club Start a Land Club
Government sponsored film 1942 8 mins
The wartime potato shortage is addressed in this marvellous film from 1942 - exhorting workers and school children to lend a hand on local farms by joining Land Clubs.
Robinson Charley Robinson Charley
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1948 10 mins
No man is an island, but Charley represents his nation in this economical cartoon tale of Britain’s economics
Good Value Good Value
Documentary 1942 8 mins
A tribute to British workmanship - from Witney blankets to Sheffield cutlery.
Victory Parade Victory Parade
Documentary 1946 21 mins
Soldiers from the far reaches of the British Empire arrive in London to take part in the official commemoration of the end of war in Europe.
African Student Families African Student Families
Cinemagazine 1975 10 mins Silent Location: Westminster
Cinemagazine London Line looks at the support available in London for African students and their families.
Hello! West Indies Hello! West Indies
Government sponsored film 1943 23 mins
WWII propaganda messages back home
Nigerian Footballers in England Nigerian Footballers in England
Documentary 1949 10 mins
An enlightening account of the first Nigerian football team to tour outside West Africa.
Glenda Jackson Glenda Jackson
Cinemagazine 1971 14 mins
Glenda Jackson talks about acting for theatre and for the camera
London Line No. 113 London Line No. 113
Cinemagazine 1966 14 mins Location: Sevenoaks
If your interests happen to include rainwear, concrete in Africa, science in Sevenoaks, and gbedu drum music, then this is your lucky day...
British Sporting Personalities: Peter May British Sporting Personalities: Peter May
Biopic 1962 9 mins Silent
Surrey and England cricketer Peter May's life on and off the field - from batting in Ashes tests to his wedding day.
The Cumberland Story The Cumberland Story
Government sponsored film 1947 45 mins Location: Workington
Humphrey Jennings’ post-war documentary chronicles the modernisation of the Cumberland coal mines in the 1940s.
The People's Land The People's Land
Travelogue 1943 10 mins Location: Dover
From the white cliffs to the emerald Lakes, this patriotic Technicolor postcard of England pays tribute to the National Trust.
Market Town Market Town
Travelogue 1942 10 mins Location: Newark-on-Trent
Rise and shine! Newark market calls with a seductive array of produce.
So This Is London So This Is London
Documentary 1933 14 mins Silent Location: Westminster
London at its best? This gorgeous lyrical portrait was made by pioneering female director Marion Grierson.
Ready to Wear Ready to Wear
Cinemagazine 1962 10 mins Location: London
A portrait of the British fashion industry that patronises its African intended audience
Moslems in Britain - People Moslems in Britain - People
Documentary 1964 24 mins
A series of interviews about life in the capital with Muslims living and studying in London
Lads of the Village Lads of the Village
Comedy 1919 76 mins Silent
Humour and adventure as the returning heroes of an English village recount their exploits in the Mesopotamian war.
Bully Boy Bully Boy
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1914 6 mins Silent
Lightning sketch propaganda stirs outrage about Reims bombing, and features a British bulldog eating the German sausage
Desert Victory (Film Trailer) Desert Victory (Film Trailer)
Documentary 1943 1 mins
Stirring trailer for renowned war documentary Desert Victory - coming to a screen near you!
Springtime in an English Village Springtime in an English Village
Documentary 1944 7 mins Location: Stanion
An extraordinary and unexpected snapshot of rural life in wartime in which a young black girl is crowned Queen of the May.
Sierra Leone Greets the Queen Sierra Leone Greets the Queen
Non-Fiction 1961 21 mins
The Queen and Prince Philip's visit in late 1961, the year Sierra Leone became independent from Britain.
London Line Colour Series 1 Issue 1 London Line Colour Series 1 Issue 1
Cinemagazine 1966 14 mins Location: Fulham
Swinging 60s meets capital of cool in a fun and funky TV magazine show aimed at Canadian audiences.
Comprehensive School Comprehensive School
Documentary 1962 11 mins Location: Holland Park
The joys of 1960s modern education - as seen at a not-exactly-typical local comp.
Strangers Strangers
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1973 1 mins
Who needs to talk to strangers when you're the only one who can understand the garbled mewling of your best buddy cat, Charley?
Ian Nairn Ian Nairn
Cinemagazine 1970 14 mins Silent Location: Pimlico
The maverick architectural critic tours two pioneering post-war housing estates in Pimlico, London.
London Can Take It! London Can Take It!
Government sponsored film 1940 9 mins Location: London
Humphrey Jennings and Harry Watt’s famous GPO film is an enduring example of British self-mythology; a hymn to London’s resilience that helped persuade America to join the war.
The Volunteer The Volunteer
Government sponsored film 1944 42 mins Location: Denham
Entertaining and evocative Fleet Air Arm drama-doc propaganda piece, written and directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.
War Office Official Topical Budget and Pictorial News 343-1 War Office Official Topical Budget and Pictorial News 343-1
Non-Fiction 1918 7 mins Silent
Proud servicemen accept awards for valour in a morale boosting late-war newsreel
Charley in New Town Charley in New Town
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1948 8 mins
Charley says (no, not that one) that Britain’s new towns are great
Uncommon Market Uncommon Market
Documentary 1972 32 mins
Different time, similar debates as Britain gears up to join the EEC.
Henry Pluckrose Henry Pluckrose
Cinemagazine 1971 14 mins Location: City of London
First things first - profile of an inspirational figure in primary education
Heinz Baked Beans : Common Market Heinz Baked Beans : Common Market
Advert 1972 1 mins
In 1972 Britain entered the European common market full of beans. What could go wrong?
Bloemfontein: Unfurling the Flag Bloemfontein: Unfurling the Flag
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent
WKL Dickson raced from his sickbed to ensure this patriotic moment in the Boer War was recorded on film.
Return to Life Return to Life
Documentary 1960 29 mins
John Krish’s deeply compassionate documentary on the resettlement of refugees in Britain; made to mark World Refugee Year 1959.
Ambulance Crossing the Modder Ambulance Crossing the Modder
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins Silent
A surprisingly languid scene shot far from the Boer War battlefields.
Night Mail Night Mail
Documentary 1936 24 mins Location: Euston Sta
The flagship of the GPO Film Unit's output and a cornerstone of British documentary, featuring music by Benjamin Britten and the verse of W.H. Auden.