6.7/10
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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

On Disc

at Amazon

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:

imperative in title | british military | england | essay film | british documentary movement | See All (85) »

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

Referenced in London (1994) See more »

Soundtracks

Round the Back of the Arches
(uncredited)
Performed by Bud Flanagan and Chesney Allen
See more »

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User Reviews

Sound as narrative.
3 February 2002 | by shrbw – See all my reviews

Jennings makes an interesting experiment. He films a number of scenes representative of wartime Britain, but does not include a spoken commentary or an anonymous musical backing.

Instead, the sound alone (often amplified and remixed)conveys mood, emphasis, and narrative climax.

A recital given by Dame Myra Hess in the National Gallery provides the background of a stirring climax.
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