New Britain, The

Synopsis

A collection of British wartime propaganda films made to boost optimism and showing how the armed forces and civilians stood up to the Nazi threat.

THE NEW BRITAIN (1940). With great optimism, Britain re-constructed after World War I, but the threat from the "Gathering Storm" of Nazism was realised almost too late as "We Forgot Germany". Directed by Ralph Keene, commentary written by Graham Greene, music by William Alwyn.

IN FROM THE FOUR CORNERS (1941), star of "Gone With The Wind", Leslie Howard, enjoys a beer with a group of Australian, New Zealander, and Canadian servicemen. He learns why they joined up. Directed by Anthony Havelock-Allan.

THE DAWN GUARD (1941). A Ministry of Information short in which two Home Guards on duty comment on war on the home front. Directed and produced by Roy Boulting. Narrated by Bernard Miles.

WORDS FOR BATTLE (1941). A call to arms through images and words of Britain’s countryside, people and poets. Directed and scripted by Humphrey Jennings; Produced by Ian Dalrymple; Narrated by Laurence Olivier.

WAR AND ORDER (1940). The operations of the Police Force during World War II. Directed by Charles Hasse; Produced and scripted by Harry Watt; Narrated by Lionel Gamlin.

WEST INDIES CALLING (1944). During World War II many nationalities lent their support to the war effort. From the Caribbean, men and women gave service in the forces, factories, hospitals and on the land, and are seen gathering at Broadcasting House with writer Una Marson and cricketer Learie Constantine for a broadcast to the Caribbean telling of their lives and work in war-time Britain. Directed and scripted by John Page; Produced by Donald Alexander; Photographed by John Page and Wolfgang Suschitzky; Music by Al Jennings; "Goodbye Little Girl" sung by Archie Lewis.

NIGHT SHIFT (1942). This film shows the work by women workers in munitions factories, here seen working at night. Directed by Jack Chambers; Produced by Paul Rotha; Script by Ara Calder-Marshall.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Year of release

2013

Subjects

Film studies; History

Keywords

archive films; propaganda films; World War II

Credits

Director

Charles Hasse; Humphrey Jennings; John Page; Ralph Keene; Roy Boulting

Writer

Graham Greene; Harry Watt; Humphrey Jennings

Music

Ara Calder-Marshall; William Alwyn

Contributor

Laurence Olivier

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 0 PAL

Price

£16.33

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

79 minutes

Year

2013

Sections

Title

New Britain, The

Title

In From the Four Corners

Title

Dawn Guard, The

Title

Words For Battle

Title

War and Order

Title

West Indies Calling

Title

Night Shift

Distributor

Name

Panamint Cinema

Email

cinema@panamint.co.uk

Web

http://www.panamint.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

01505 834936

Address

Abercorn Schoolhouse
Whitequarries
Broxburn
West Lothian, Scotland
EH52 6PZ