Synopsis

A 2-disc release of GPO Film Unit documentaries from the early days of World War II.
Also available separately - see below.

Disc 1: The First Days
The First Days (1939) directed by Harry Watt, Humphrey Jennings and Pat Jackson - Preparation for war on the home front.
The Front Line (1939) directed by Harry Watt. Dover becomes a target for the Germans.
Squadron 992 (1940) directed by Harry Watt. A barrage balloon squadron is trained and deployed to South Queensferry to defend Rosyth Naval Base and the Forth Bridge. Includes a reconstruction of the Luftwaffe raid of October 16 1939.

Disc 2: Under Fire
Britain Can Take It (1940) directed by Humphrey Jennings and Harry Watt. Presented by US journalist Quentin Reynolds. Used by President Roosevelt to help swing US opinion behind Britain.
Britain At Bay (1940) commentary by J.B. Priestley. Czechoslovakia, Poland, Norway, Holland and Belgium have fallen ...
Story of an Air Communique (1940) with men of the Royal Air Force. Processing the figures for destoyed enemy aircraft.
Christmas Under Fire (1941) directed by Harry Watt. A Quentin Reynolds despatch from London to America showing Christmas in the Blitz.
Men of the Lightship (1940) directed by David MacDonald. The Luftwaffe bombing of the East Dudgeon Lightship.

Synopsis

The First Days (1939) directed by Harry Watt, Humphrey Jennings and Pat Jackson - Preparation for war on the home front.
The Front Line (1939) directed by Harry Watt. Dover becomes a target for the Germans.
Squadron 992 (1940) directed by Harry Watt. A barrage balloon squadron is trained and deployed to South Queensferry to defend Rosyth Naval Base and the Forth Bridge. Includes a reconstruction of the Luftwaffe raid of October 16 1939.

Synopsis

Britain Can Take It (1940) directed by Humphrey Jennings and Harry Watt. Presented by US journalist Quentin Reynolds. Used by President Roosevelt to help swing US opinion behind Britain.
Britain At Bay (1940) commentary by J.B. Priestley. Czechoslovakia, Poland, Norway, Holland and Belgium have fallen ...
Story of an Air Communique (1940) with men of the Royal Air Force. Processing the figures for destoyed enemy aircraft.
Christmas Under Fire (1941) directed by Harry Watt. A Quentin Reynolds despatch from London to America showing Christmas in the Blitz.
Men of the Lightship (1940) directed by David MacDonald. The Luftwaffe bombing of the East Dudgeon Lightship.

Synopsis

War-time documentaries about the dangers faced in the Atlantic by merchant seamen on convoys and the contribution made to the war effort by all civilian seamen. Programme comprises:
Sailors Without Uniform (1940) - The lives of British fishermen in war-time. Partly filmed in St Ives, Cornwall and Grimsby.
Fishermen in Exile (1944) - The story of Dutch fishermen escaped from Holland carrying on their trade in Britain.
Atlantic Trawler (1944) - Fishermen are constantly under threat in the Atlantic from U-boats and mines. Music score is by William Alwyn. Click here for a film clip of Atlantic Trawler.
Merchant Seamen (1941) - A merchant ship is sunk by a U-boat and a young seaman trains as a gunner to seek revenge.

Synopsis

As the "Gathering Storm" of the late 1930s went unheeded by the British, suddenly war loomed with all its consequences, as ... "We Forgot About Germany".

Features the following films:
The New Britain (1940) Commentary by Graham Greene, Music by William Alwyn
From The Four Corners (1940) with Leslie Howard
The Dawn Guard (1941) with Bernard Miles
Words For Battle (1941) Directed by Humphrey Jennings, Commentary spoken by Laurence Olivier
War And Order (1940)
West Indies Calling (1944) with Una Marson, Learie Constantine & Archie Lewis
Night Shift (1942)

Synopsis

A collection of rarely-seen films showing the effect of the blitz on London and its people, and the plans for the post-war regeneration of the City. Includes:
London Can Take It (1940) - GPO Film Unit. Directors Harry Watt & Humphrey Jennings. This film about Londoners under seige during the blitz, seen in the very rare American version, was narrated by American journalist Quentin Reynolds. It was instrumental in persuading the USA to support Britain during World War II. A slightly edited version Britain Can Take It, which was made for the home audience, is available on one of our GPO Classics Series DVDs - Britain At War - Under Fire.
The Proud City (1945) - London County Council's plans for re-developing the city. Scored by William Alwyn.
London Airport (1949) - the construction of Heathrow Airport.
Moving Millions (1947) - the post war changes in London Transport.
Journey by a London Bus (1950) - two African students sample the pleasures of travelling on London's buses, "which are always punctual".

Click here for NTSC version

Synopsis

Marius Goring narrates Humphrey Jennings' film of the extraordinary story of Lale Andersen, the singer whose recording of Lili Marlene became a battle song for troops on both sides in World War II. Goebbels detested the song and contrived to have Andersen placed in a concentration camp. In Britain the song was sung by Anne Shelton and Vera Lynn.

Also features Before The Raid another true story of Norwegian fishermen repelling German soldiers who were plundering their catch from their small fishing village. Filmed in Portmahomack. Directed by Jiri Weiss.

Synopsis

A wonderful collection of war-time documentary shorts depicting the lives of women and children. Evacuees, land girls, factory workers, doughty countrywomen confronting Nazi paratroopers, and of course the Women's Institute are all here. Don't miss this one. Programme includes:
Land Girl (1942); Miss Grant Goes To The Door (1940); Our School (1941); Bampton Shows The Way (1941); Westward Ho (1940); Living With Strangers (1941); The Countrywomen (1942); Worker's Week-end (1943).

Synopsis

The British War Office made A Welcome to Britain (1943) to welcome American GIs arriving in Britain for the first time and to give them a little background to British customs. Presented by Burgess Meredith with some help from Bob Hope and Beatrice Lillie. The music score is by William Alwyn.

In Letter From Ulster (1943) we see US airmen serving in Northern Ireland, touring the countryside and writing a letter home. Music score by William Alwyn.

Synopsis

Two films about overseas personnel helping the British war effort. In West Indies Calling (1943) we see Caribbean nationals serving in the RAF, hospitals and logging.

Presented by Una Marson and Learie Constantine.

Available on DVD We Forgot About Germany.

In Letter From Ulster (1943) we see US airmen serving in Northern Ireland, touring the countryside and writing a letter home. Music score by William Alwyn.

Available on DVD Over Paid, Over-Sexed & Over Here.

VHS edition no longer available.