Contents:
The First Days (1939)
Producer: Alberto Cavalcanti
Directors: Humphrey Jennings, Harry Watt, Pat Jackson
Editor: R Q McNaughton
Naration written by: Robert Sinclair
Running Time: 23 mins
When war was declared in September 1939, the GPO Film Unit took its cameras out onto the streets of London to create a unique record of London preparing for the conflict that was to ensue. Cavalcanti's moving portrait captures the comradship as all classes came together in a friendship suddenly borne out of the tragedy of war, of 1/4 million children who were moved out to the safety of the countryside and of the young men saying goodbye to their loved ones.
The Front Line (1940)
Director: Harry Watt
Photography: Frank 'Jonah' Jones
Running Time: 6 mins
As the countries of Europe fell followed by the evacuation of Dunkirk, the world's press gathered at Dover awaiting the fall of Britain. Harry Watt's 'The Front Line' showed a town, although in the midst of war and only 20 miles from occupied France, carrying on with its daily life. The moral boosting film for British audiences included footage of an air attack on a convoy in the Straits of Dover.
Squadron 992 (1940)
Producer: Alberto Cavalcanti
Directors: Harry Watt
Photography: Frank 'Jonah' Jones
Editor: R Q McNaughton
Sound: Ken Cameron
Music: Walter Leigh,
Conducted by: Muir Mathieson
Narration written by: WDH McCulloch
Running Time: 26 mins
Watts's drama-documentary follows the officers and men of an RAF barrage balloon squadron, from training to their first assignment at the Forth Bridge in Scotland, which has been unsuccessfully raided. The barage balloons were a major defence against dive bomber attacks. Although most appears to be actuality footage, some dramatised footage is included.
Of the film, the magazine 'Documentary Newsletter' later said: 'Here is not only the best film which has been made about the war; it is a film which sets a new high spot in documentary, by achieving a perfect combination of fact, humour and dramatic story...' During filming Harry Watt was twice arrested as a spy! He later recalled: 'Anyone with a camera was one in those days'.
This was also Walter Leigh's last film score. He was killed in action during the Libyan campaign in 1942.
Running Time: 56 Minutes.
DVD Region 0
PAL 4x3