British Transport Films Collection
Moderator: MichaelB
-
- not perpee
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 3:41 pm
British Transport Films Collection
British Transport Films Collection Volume 1: On and Off The Rails
British Transport Films Collection Volume 2: See Britain by Train
British Transport Films Collection Volume 3: Running a Railway
British Transport Films Collection Volume 4: Reshaping British Railways
British Transport Films Collection Volume 5: Off the Beaten Track
British Transport Films Collection Volume 6: The Art of Travel
British Transport Films Collection Volume 7: The Age of the Train
British Transport Films Collection Volume 8: Points and Aspects
British Transport Films Collection Volume 2: See Britain by Train
British Transport Films Collection Volume 3: Running a Railway
British Transport Films Collection Volume 4: Reshaping British Railways
British Transport Films Collection Volume 5: Off the Beaten Track
British Transport Films Collection Volume 6: The Art of Travel
British Transport Films Collection Volume 7: The Age of the Train
British Transport Films Collection Volume 8: Points and Aspects
-
- not perpee
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 3:41 pm
Night Mail / Song of Ceylon
On and Off the Rails: British Transport Films Vol. 1 (1951)
...is a *fantastically* odd collection of quaint British transport propaganda films. One of my favourite releases of the year so far. Beautiful transfers too.
[Haven't seen the Geoffrey Jones release.]
...is a *fantastically* odd collection of quaint British transport propaganda films. One of my favourite releases of the year so far. Beautiful transfers too.
There's going to be another collection soon of the BFI Transport Films, I believe, but I don't know if NIGHT MAIL will be on it seeing as there's already a DVD here.Steven H wrote:I wonder if Night Mail or Song of Ceylon could be far behind? Peerpee, have you gotten hold of the Geoffrey Jones collection? I'd like to know more about his work or this set.
[Haven't seen the Geoffrey Jones release.]
- antnield
- Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2005 1:59 pm
- Location: Cheltenham, England
NIGHT MAIL
The press release which came with my review copy of 'On and Off the Rails' stated that it was the first of three projected volumes. As for the inclusion of 'Night Mail' this is highly unlikely as it was produced by the GPO Film Unit and not the BTF Unit (the latter wasn't set up until the fifties and 'Night Mail' was made in 1936). However, there are R2 discs of 'Night Mail' currently available; I'd recommend the DDVideo release which twins it with 'West Highland', a BBC doc from the sixties.peerpee wrote:There's going to be another collection soon of the BFI Transport Films, I believe, but I don't know if NIGHT MAIL will be on it seeing as there's already a DVD here.
[Haven't seen the Geoffrey Jones release.]
With regards to the Geoffrey Jones disc - pick it up now! A fantastic collection. My DVD Times review can be found here. And seeing as this is a thread devoted to BFI discs, search the site and you'll find reviews for most of their releases.
- antnield
- Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2005 1:59 pm
- Location: Cheltenham, England
British Transport Films Volume One : On and Off the Rails
My DVD Times review of 'British Transport Films Volume One : On and Off the Rails' can be found here.
- antnield
- Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2005 1:59 pm
- Location: Cheltenham, England
British Transport Films collection
DVD Times review for the second British Transport Films collection, See Britain By Train
- meanwhile
- Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2005 6:22 am
I don't know what kind of reputation British Transport Films have outside of the UK, but as they often slip below the critical radar in the UK itself, I thought it worthwhile to draw attention to the fifth volume in the BFI's excellent series of 2-disc collections of the films.
Briefly, when much of Britain's transport system was nationalised in 1948, following Labour's victory at the elections, the British Transport Commission saw that the creation of a film unit - to promote public awareness, appreciation, understanding and even admiration of their means of transport - was an important part of their mission. John Grierson's protege, Edgar Anstey took the helm at the Unit. Through to its closure in 1986, a number of notable people passed through the Unit's ranks - editor Stewart McAllister, cameramen David Watkin and Billy Williams, John Schlesinger to name just four.
The BFI's collections are thoroughly enjoyable and show just how inventive the Unit could be when approaching their subject. There are now over 70 films available on these collections, most in superb condition (see John Schlesinger's Terminus on Volume 3: Running a Railway for proof). Other highlights are too many to mention and will be according to your own interests, but Holiday (1957) on Volume 2 is fun, as the sights and sounds of Blackpool are set to a Chris Barber soundtrack, I am a Litter Basket (1959) and The Third Sam (1962) (narrated by Stanley Holloway) show their quirkiness well, and films such as Farmer Moving South (1952) are simply very beautiful, highly accomplished short films. Then there are Snow, Rail and Locomotion, Geoffrey Jones' exhilarating films made for British Railways and collected together on Geoffrey Jones: The Rhythm of Film.
The most recent volume gives the lie to the popular assumption that they must be all about trains as it actually includes three Oscar-nominated nature documentaries - Journey into Spring, Between the Tides and Wild Wings, the last of which actually won the Oscar.
Anyway that's the intro. I'm recommending them as they are too good to remain the preserve of people approaching them solely from the angle of interest in transport (though of course they are brilliant if you are).
Screenonline is good for the history of the Unit and there is also a complete list of films over at British Transport Films.
I have done a couple of podcasts about them over at MovieMail if you're interested - have a look around beneath the one I've just put up talking with Michael about Svankmajer.
Briefly, when much of Britain's transport system was nationalised in 1948, following Labour's victory at the elections, the British Transport Commission saw that the creation of a film unit - to promote public awareness, appreciation, understanding and even admiration of their means of transport - was an important part of their mission. John Grierson's protege, Edgar Anstey took the helm at the Unit. Through to its closure in 1986, a number of notable people passed through the Unit's ranks - editor Stewart McAllister, cameramen David Watkin and Billy Williams, John Schlesinger to name just four.
The BFI's collections are thoroughly enjoyable and show just how inventive the Unit could be when approaching their subject. There are now over 70 films available on these collections, most in superb condition (see John Schlesinger's Terminus on Volume 3: Running a Railway for proof). Other highlights are too many to mention and will be according to your own interests, but Holiday (1957) on Volume 2 is fun, as the sights and sounds of Blackpool are set to a Chris Barber soundtrack, I am a Litter Basket (1959) and The Third Sam (1962) (narrated by Stanley Holloway) show their quirkiness well, and films such as Farmer Moving South (1952) are simply very beautiful, highly accomplished short films. Then there are Snow, Rail and Locomotion, Geoffrey Jones' exhilarating films made for British Railways and collected together on Geoffrey Jones: The Rhythm of Film.
The most recent volume gives the lie to the popular assumption that they must be all about trains as it actually includes three Oscar-nominated nature documentaries - Journey into Spring, Between the Tides and Wild Wings, the last of which actually won the Oscar.
Anyway that's the intro. I'm recommending them as they are too good to remain the preserve of people approaching them solely from the angle of interest in transport (though of course they are brilliant if you are).
Screenonline is good for the history of the Unit and there is also a complete list of films over at British Transport Films.
I have done a couple of podcasts about them over at MovieMail if you're interested - have a look around beneath the one I've just put up talking with Michael about Svankmajer.
- MichaelB
- Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2006 6:20 pm
- Location: Worthing
- Contact:
The BFI also offers three British Transport Films as free downloads - the complete (and delightful) Let's Go To Birmingham! from 1962, and excerpts from natural history documentary Between the Tides (1958) and the terrifying cautionary tale The Finishing Line (1977).
-
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:25 pm
Just a word of thanks for the above posting. At least one non-British collector values this series very highly indeed, and certainly wouldn't want to miss a release.meanwhile wrote:I don't know what kind of reputation British Transport Films have outside of the UK, but as they often slip below the critical radar in the UK itself, I thought it worthwhile to draw attention to the fifth volume in the BFI's excellent series of 2-disc collections of the films.
That's one of the things I appreciate about this forum. Nothing seems to slip below its radar. Any and every branch of quality cinema is covered.
- Caligula
- Carthago delenda est
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 2:32 am
- Location: George, South Africa
Serious misprice: the upcoming BFI set of their collected Transport Films (all eight volumes) can be had for 11.24 GBP (suggested retail 99.99 GBP) here. Get it before they wake up to the error of their ways!
Overseas customers get their VAT deducted, BTW.
Overseas customers get their VAT deducted, BTW.
- Scharphedin2
- Joined: Fri May 19, 2006 7:37 am
- Location: Denmark/Sweden
I also placed an order for this, although unfortunately I think Amazon is covered against this kind of situation in their sales conditions:
Despite our efforts, a small number of the millions of products in our catalogue are mispriced. Rest assured, however, that we verify prices as part of our dispatch procedures. If a product's correct price is lower than our stated price, we charge the lower amount and send you the product. If a product's correct price is higher than our stated price, we will, at our discretion, either contact you for instructions before dispatch or cancel your order and notify you of such cancellation.
- HerrSchreck
- Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2005 11:46 am
- NABOB OF NOWHERE
- Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2005 12:30 pm
- Location: Brandywine River
HerrSchreck wrote:These films are a must-have for me. On my BFI People On Sunday is a transport film that charmed me to the bone. I knew the "On & Off The Rails" release here in R1 was just a port of a BFI release, but I had no idea that there were so many volumes. Sounds like total heaven!
It is quite a stunning set and of great interest beyond its apparent 'Trainspotter' anorak appeal. It's also refreshing that we can get examples of 'slice of life' documentary without it being fronted by some Z list celebrity in search of property for people wanting a life style change. So despite its patrician overtones and occasional condescending lapses it is, as you say Herr Shreck, a very charming companion set.
On a personal note I was showing the first volume to my Mum - the one about the pleasure boats of the Clyde estuary because it briefly showed the house I was living in - when she leapt out the chair, not at the sight of our house, but because she'd spotted my Grandma sitting up on deck of the paddle steamer the 'Waverley' as it sailed through the Kyles of Bute.
So who knows what other hidden geneological gems lie in store for other viewers.
- What A Disgrace
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 10:34 pm
- Contact:
Volume 9 now up for preorder.
- MichaelB
- Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2006 6:20 pm
- Location: Worthing
- Contact:
Mind you, the thought of Kirstie'n'Phil or Sarah Beeny fronting the classic 1935 documentary Housing Problems has a certain appeal.NABOB OF NOWHERE wrote:It's also refreshing that we can get examples of 'slice of life' documentary without it being fronted by some Z list celebrity in search of property for people wanting a life style change.
- MichaelB
- Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2006 6:20 pm
- Location: Worthing
- Contact:
Heads up - BBC4 is devoting a chunk of Thursday night to British Transport Films, in the form of a new documentary in their Nation on Film series at 9pm, and a complete screening of Elizabethan Express (1954) immediately afterwards.
And at 11pm the same evening, they're screening John Betjeman's superb Metro-Land - not a British Transport Film, but it might as well have been.
And at 11pm the same evening, they're screening John Betjeman's superb Metro-Land - not a British Transport Film, but it might as well have been.
- foliagecop
- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:42 am
- Location: Scotland
- MichaelB
- Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2006 6:20 pm
- Location: Worthing
- Contact:
To coincide with tonight's programme, DVD Times has just reviewed volume five - but the review also doubles as an excellent general-purpose introduction to British Transport Films' output.
-
- Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2006 1:33 pm
Re: British Transport Films Collection
DVD Times on Volume Eight: Points and Aspects
- The Digital McGuffin
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 8:27 am
- Location: CGILand, London