6.8/10
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Listen to Britain (1942)

Not Rated | | Documentary, Short | February 1942 (UK)
Listen to Britain Poster
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.

Directors:

Humphrey Jennings, Stewart McAllister

Stars:

Leonard Brockington, Joseph Macleod, Bud Flanagan | See full cast & crew »
Reviews

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Nominated for 1 Oscar. See more awards »

Photos

See all 7 photos »
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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Leonard Brockington Leonard Brockington ... Himself: Forward by (as Leonard Brockington K.C.)
Joseph Macleod Joseph Macleod ... Himself - BBC Newsreader (voice)
Bud Flanagan Bud Flanagan ... Himself - Flanagan & Allen
Chesney Allen Chesney Allen ... Himself - Flanagan & Allen
Myra Hess Myra Hess ... Herself - Pianist
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

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.

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

england | essay film | british documentary movement | 1940s | london england | See All (83) »

Genres:

Documentary | Short

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English | German

Release Date:

February 1942 (UK) See more »

Also Known As:

Englannin sävel See more »

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Crown Film Unit See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Cries of London (2008) See more »

Soundtracks

Roll Out The Barrel
Written by Jaromir Vejvoda (uncredited)
[Performed by the dance band at 3 minutes]
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Clever?
3 July 2013 | by gavin6942 – See all my reviews

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.

The title is literal -- the director is asking us to "listen" to "Britain". Not necessarily its people, and not the narration of someone telling us how to feel. Just the sound of the radio, the airplane, and anything else going on in daily life during the war. They even dance to "Roll Out the Barrel", though in some weird circular slow dance style rather than the polka version I know and love.

This is probably considered Humphrey Jennings' masterpiece. That may be a fair assessment.
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