DVD Review
Addressing the Nation
Reviewed by Alan Macdonald
The GPO Film Unit was established in 1933 and was headed by John Grierson. Their task was to produce sponsored documentary films on a number of subjects. A few of those films have been transfered onto DVD and are presented here as Volume one in what promises to be a very interesting series of three volumes. Produced as a jointly funded project between BFI, Royal Mail, The British Postal Museum & Archive and BT.
In volume one you will find short black and white (and two in colour) films covering subjects like
- The coming of the telephone dial to Britain.
- Cable ships.
- How mail is sorted by the Post Office.
- Post Office Savings.
- Air Post.
- Weather Forecast.
- And many more...
All the footage is original and dates back to what looks like the 1930's and is very much in a "newsreel" style that will be familiar to, and appeal to, so many. Giving an insight into how things used to be done 'way back when', before the advent of automatic sorting machinery in the Post Office sorting rooms or computers in the banking world.
Included with this two-disc boxed set is a booklet containing introductory essays to the films, along with selected biographies of those involved, film notes and an introduction to the GPO film unit and its work.
This DVD is not limited to those with an interest in telephone, but will appeal to everyone, as many of the topics covered are things that we can all relate to today.
Get this now from www.amazon.co.uk
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