Battle for Music

Synopsis

Dramatised documentary about the trials of the London Philharmonic Orchestra during World War II. The year is 1939. Following the liquidation of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the players form a new company and arrange bookings themselves. Struggling with costs after their first series of concerts, they meet the writer J. B. Priestley who arranges a ‘Musical Manifesto’ fund-raiser at the Queen’s Hall. Then their real break comes when band leader Jack Hylton books the orchestra for a season of music hall concerts. The orchestra plays music by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Greig, Beethoven, Wagner and Rachmaninov closing with ‘Land of Hope and Glory’.

DVD extras include: MUSICAL POSTER NO.1 (1940, colour). An animated film by Len Lye in which colours and abstract shapes vibrate to music illustrating the message "Careful! The enemy is listening to you"; ADESTE FIDELES (1941, b/w). directed by Ralph Bond and Ralph Keene. The spirit of Christmas in war-time Britain. In the midst of war the British people celebrate Christmas with undiminished faith, despite bombings and evacuations. A stoical view of the British in adversity; C.E.M.A. (1942, b/w). R. A. Butler, M.P. explains the activities of the Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts. The film shows arts events, including music performances, around the country including seaports and mining towns; BATTLE FOR MUSIC (1941, b/w). Unreleased version of the film including scenes not in the final cut.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Year of release

1943

Subjects

History; Music

Keywords

animation films; dramatised documentary films; orchestras; World War II

Credits

Director

Charles de Latour; Donald Taylor; Dylan Thomas; John Banting; Len Lye; Ralph Bond; Ralph Keene

Writer

St John Legh Clowes

Music

Adrian Boult; Benno Moiseiwitsch; Constant Lambert; Eileen Joyce; Jack Hylton; Malcolm Sargent; Warwick Braithwaite

Contributor

R.A. Butler

Cast

Anthony Holles
Brian Michie
Charles Carlson
Clifford Buckton
D. Hay Petrie
J B Priestley
Joss Ambler
Mavis Claire
Thomas Russell

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 0 PAL

Price

£14.99

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

186 minutes

Year

2018

Production Company

Name

Crown Film Unit

Name

Strand Film Company

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