British Universities Film & Video Council

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British Transport Films Collection Vol. 4: Reshaping British Railways

Synopsis
The fourth in the series of double DVD box sets of films from the BRITISH TRANSPORT FILMS COLLECTION. Following the post-war thirst for visual teaching and educational entertainment and the nationalisation of transport in 1948, the British Transport Commission set up its own in-house film production and distribution unit in 1949. Over a period of 37 years, until its closure in 1986, it made over 700 films promoting travel on Britain’s railways or providing technical instruction.

As well as depicting transport throughout the regions of Britain, the films now provide an invaluable record of life and customs in the 1950s and 60s. Of immense value as social history, some are also works of art.

This collection features Work In Progress (1951), Wash And Brush Up (1953), A Place In The Team (1953), Service For Southend (1957), Diesel Train Ride (1959), Let’s Go To Birmingham (1962), Reshaping British Railways (1963), Forward To First Principles (1966), Freight And A City (1966), Second Nature (1967), The New Tradition (1968), Plumb-Loco (1971), This Year By Rail (1972) and Overture One-Two-Five (1978).
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Year of release
2006
Year of production
1951-1980
Documentation
A booklet containing an introduction and film notes by BTF historian Steven Foxon accompanies the discs.
Subjects
History; Media studies
Keywords
British Transport Films; social history; transport; archive films

Distribution Formats

Type
DVD
Format
Region 2 PAL
Price
£19.99
Availability
Sale
Duration/Size
247 minutes
Year
2005

Sections

Title
Blue Pullman
Duration
25 mins

Title
Elizabethan Express
Duration
20 mins

Title
Train Time
Duration
28 mins

Title
Rail 150
Duration
14 mins

Title
Diesel Train, The
Duration
7 mins

Title
On Track for the Eighties
Duration
15 mins

Title
Cybernetica
Duration
20 mins

Title
Under the River
Duration
27 mins

Title
Snowdrift at Bleath Gill
Duration
10 mins

Title
This Year - London
Duration
25 mins

Title
This is York
Duration
20 mins

Title
Great Highway, The
Duration
20 mins

Title
Day of One’s Own, A
Duration
20 mins

Title
John Betjeman goes by Train
Duration
10 mins

Production Company

Name

British Transport Films

Notes
Some BTF films are distributed by Beulah.

Distributor

Name

BFI Video

Email
video.films@bfi.org.uk
Web
http://www.bfi.org.uk External site opens in new window
Phone
020 7957 8957
Fax
020 7957 8968
Address
21 Stephen Street
London
W1T 1LN
 

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