Cinema going reached a peak during World War Two that has never been bettered – but what did we as a nation flock to see and what did wartime films tell us about ourselves and what Britain and her allies were fighting for?   To what extent did wartime films create ‘instant history’, defining how events such as the Blitz and the Battle of Britain would be perceived?

This is a course about how the film industry kept the British people diverted and motivated during World War Two and what kind of long term impact the war years had on British cinema.     Using plenty of film extracts, we will look at how the propaganda effort was channeled through the production of feature films and documentaries, and their contribution to the war effort and how audiences responded to them.   We will consider how the issues and tensions of wartime life were reflected in the films of the time – and the extent to which the war itself changed film-making and popular taste in general.

We meet at the Seth Ward Community Centre, Luynes Rise, Buntingford.   The Wednesday morning lectures start at 10.30am, but we have coffee beforehand.  

If anyone would like any more information please phone Julia on 01763-272584, or Joan on 01763-273341.   Or just come along on the 26th January and meet us all.

Email Julia Peacock