Listen to Britain

Listen to Britain 1942

6.10

A depiction of life in wartime England during the Second World War. Director Humphrey Jennings visits many aspects of civilian life and of the turmoil and privation caused by the war, all without narration.

1942

Fires Were Started

Fires Were Started 1943

6.10

British film written and directed by Humphrey Jennings, filmed in documentary style showing the lives of firefighters through the Blitz in World War II.

1943

A Diary for Timothy

A Diary for Timothy 1945

6.60

A narrator recounts the state of Great Britain near the end of WWII via a visual diary for the titular baby boy born in September 1944.

1945

Life in Her Hands

Life in Her Hands 1951

1

A woman blames herself for her husband's death. To overcome her grief and her guilt she becomes a nurse but then a patient dies while under her care.

1951

Daybreak in Udi

Daybreak in Udi 1949

4.30

An African tribe in the Eastern Nigerian village of Umana work to build a maternity hospital, with the aid of government officials, and against the opposition of some tribal members.

1949

Ferry Pilot

Ferry Pilot 1942

5.00

Focuses on the work of the Air Transport Auxiliary or ATA. By 1941, literally hundreds of RAF fighters and bombers needed to be flown each day between aircraft factories, maintenance depots and RAF aerodromes. This vital task was carried out by the men and women of the ATA, a civilian air force operating from their own pools and stations all over Britain. Essentially a dramatised account of typical ATA deliveries, the film features coverage of the ATA's own fleet of Ansons, as well as being notable for some excellent Spitfire film and very rare footage of the Whitley bomber, including take off and in-cockpit sequences.

1942

Coastal Command

Coastal Command 1942

4.00

Documentary style presentation of the work of RAF Coastal Command. Shows their work in protecting convoys and attacking enemy aircraft, ships and U-boats, all done by the actual men & women of the RAF.

1942

Before the Raid

Before the Raid 1944

1

A dramatised account of Norwegian fishermen outwitting occupational forces during World War II, directed by Jiří Weiss and written by acclaimed author Laurie Lee.

1944

Copy Book Please

Copy Book Please 1948

1

This short post-war film was made to inform people how to address a letter correctly.

1948

Out of True

Out of True 1951

6.00

A BAFTA award nominated fictional drama about young Molly Slade who awakens one morning in a depressed state that gradually leads to a complete nervous breakdown and a suicide attempt. It was made as an educational film.

1951

The Silent Village

The Silent Village 1943

6.80

The true story of the massacre of a small Czech village by the Nazis is retold as if it happened in Wales.

1943

The People at No. 19

The People at No. 19 1949

4.50

Reported cases of sexually transmitted disease took a sharp rise during and after World War II, but as this film testifies, sexual license amongst soldiers on the frontline wasn't the sole cause. Back on the home front, for many women, like Joan from No. 19, loneliness or newfound independence acted as an incentive to extramarital promiscuity.

1949

It Might Be You

It Might Be You 1946

1

A doctor talks about the number of injuries and deaths resulting from automobile accidents.

1946

Two Fathers

Two Fathers 1944

7.00

An Englishman and Frenchman sharing a hotel room discover their children are fighting on the same side, French Resistance and R.A.F.

1944

A Yank Comes Back

A Yank Comes Back 1948

1

In a follow up to 'A Welcome to Britain', Burgess Meredith returns to look at a post-war Britain.

1948

Builders

Builders 1942

1

A short film about how builders help contribute to the war effort.

1942

Mr Jones Takes the Air

Mr Jones Takes the Air 1946

1

Perhaps the characters in this film are stupid or even laughable. Before YOU laugh at them remember that people behaving like them often cause accidents on the roads - and country roads are no exception.

1946

Ordinary People

Ordinary People 1941

1

Documentary about an average day during the Blitz.

1941