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Learn about the history behind our documentary film archive from the 1940s.
War Comes to London
About the film
Britain enters World War Two, and the capital prepares itself for the trials ahead.
Details
- Release year - 1940
- Running time (minutes) - 9 mins 54 secs
Original description
An account of how Britain entered the war
'During the last days of August it seemed inevitable that Britain would be involved in war. Londoners set to work building shelters and barricades of sandbags; children and hospital patients were rapidly evacuated to areas safe from bombardment. Everyone carried gas masks - anti-aircraft guns appeared in the parks and balloons in the sky.
Soon after 11 o'clock on September 3rd the Prime Minister broadcasts to the nation; Britain had fulfilled her obligations and was at war.'
(Films of Britain - British Council Film Department Catalogue - 1940)
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