Mark will look at the battle reconstruction films of the British Instructional Films Company, which established itself during the 1920’s as Britain’s foremost producer of geographical, scientific and nature films.
It made a series of battle reconstructions with the aid of the War Office and Admiralty that proved smash hits across the Empire. Now almost entirely unknown, these films attempted to show audiences exactly what their soldiers and sailors had done on their behalf.
Using hundreds of troops and ships lent by the army and navy, BIF was able to create epics which thrilled people whilst also making them consider the cost of the war. Looking at these films shows us how the mass communication and entertainment method of cinema presented the war in its immediate aftermath.
Mark Connelly is Emeritus Professor of Modern British History at the University of Kent.
This meeting will be held in Cobham. Members of The Western Front Association and non-members are equally welcome. We ask for a modest £5 donation on the door. This includes tea, coffee and biscuits at the break (before the Q&A session with the speaker). It also includes free tickets for the book raffle.
People joining us at Cobham can use our cashless card system and use their credit card/phone with the reader that will be available at the signing-in desk.
To help make things easier and safer, we are asking those coming to Cobham to bring their own mug for coffee or tea.
Mark’s talk will start at 8pm. Doors open at Cobham at 7:15pm and the meeting starts at 7:45pm.
The photo shows a frame from the 1926 BIF film "Mons".