About the film archive
Learn about the history behind our documentary film archive from the 1940s.
A series of short vignettes depicts how the people working in different industries across Britain, from coal mining to shipbuilding, continue to operate full-steam ahead. Designed to showcase the defiant strength and unity of the people supporting the war effort from home.
Britain's Check to the German Drive for World Domination
'The German march across Europe is halted at the English Channel. The marching songs of slavery are drowned by the songs of a free people, united against aggression. The regions of Britain are seen in panorama. In East Anglia the farmworker breaks new ground for food production. In Yorkshire the steelworkers increase their output of molten metal. The mineworkers of South Wales labour to produce more coal. The shipyard men of Northern Ireland work day and night to build ships for Britain, and the fishermen of Cornwall and the shepherds of Scotland are making valuable additions to the Nation's food supply. All are united behind their King in the Freeman's reply to Nazi tyranny.'
(Films of Britain - British Council Film Department Catalogue - 1941)
All films are subject to the Creative Commons licence guidelines.
Learn more about how to use to the film archive.
Learn about the history behind our documentary film archive from the 1940s.
Keep up to date with the latest film news from the British Council.