Listen to Britain (1942)

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

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

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

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.

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Plot Keywords:

imperative in title | british military | war propaganda | propaganda | world war two | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Short

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in The Story of Film: An Odyssey: Post-War Cinema (2011)

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Soundtracks

Home On The Range
Written by Brewster M. Higley (uncredited)
[Sung by Canadian troops at 6 minutes]

User Reviews

Clever?

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.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English German

Release Date:

February 1942 (UK)

Also Known As:

Englannin sävel

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Crown Film Unit

Technical Specs

Runtime:

20 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1