If War Should Come1

Synopsis

Released in August 1939 this is a catalogue of precautions to be taken by the civilian population ‘if war should come’. Correct and incorrect behaviour is illustrated in a variety of scenes and emphasis is laid on the dangers of gas warfare. There are a few contradictions - ‘Don’t panic buy’ and ‘Use your emergency stores sparingly’ as well as some interesting assumptions - ‘Do not be afraid of the noise of an air raid. Much of it will be the sound of our guns dealing with the raiders’. The authoritarian nature of the commentary is especially noteworthy.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Film; Film. 16mm. sd. b&w. 10 min.

Technical information

Black-and-white / Sound

Year of production

1939

Availability

Special loan only

Subjects

History

Keywords

Civilians; propaganda films; World War II

Distribution Formats

Type

Film

Format

16mm

Sponsor

Name

Home Office

Distributor

Name

Imperial War Museum

Phone

020 7416 5291

Fax

020 7416 5299

Address

Department of Film
Lambeth Road
London
SE1 6HZ

Notes

Address for video sales: Duxford, Cambridgeshire CB2 4QR