Men, War and Film: The Calling Blighty Films of World War II

The Calling Blighty series of films, produced by the Combined Kinematograph Service during WWII, feature soldiers giving short spoken messages to the camera, connecting the front line and the home front. These films, which include men speaking in their regional accents, are a valuable source of social history and represent a different mode from mainstream British wartime documentaries. This book expands the history of Calling Blighty and places it in a broader context, drawing comparisons with written and oral contemporary sources. It also includes new research on the origins of the film series and recreates wartime screenings for the families of the men featured in the films.

Format: Hardback
Length: 150 pages
Publication date: 20 May 2022
Publisher: Intellect Books

The Calling Blighty series of films, produced by the Combined Kinematograph Service towards the end of the Second World War, were a unique and powerful form of communication that bridged the gap between the front line and the home front. These one-reel films featured soldiers giving short spoken messages to the camera, expressing their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. What made these films particularly significant was that they allowed men to speak openly in their regional accents, giving a voice to the diverse communities that served in the military.

These films have profound meaning for remembrance, documentary representation, and the ecology of film in wartime. Of the 400 films (or 'issues) made, approximately 64 survive today. Each film contained around 25 individual messages, delivered by men from a specific city, town, or region. The films were grouped together to facilitate regional screenings back in the UK, allowing soldiers and their families to connect and share their experiences.

Personnel from all three services were featured in the films, but the majority of the men were from the army units. Screenings took place at a cinema in the subjects local area, usually organized by the regional Army Welfare Committee. The names and addresses of those to be invited to the screenings were sent to the UK along with the films.

Until now, these films have received relatively little research attention, despite their immense value as a source of social history. This book aims to expand the history of Calling Blighty and place it in a broader context, both past and present. Through new research and analysis, the book reveals the origins of the film series and draws comparisons with written and oral contemporary sources.

Steve Hawley, an artist/filmmaker with a global reputation, has collaborated closely with the North West Film Archive UK. He is an emeritus professor at the Manchester Metropolitan University UK, where he has dedicated his career to studying and promoting the history of film and media.

In his book, Steve Hawley draws on memoirs and diaries to explore the roles played by individuals in the Burma campaign during World War II. He delves into the experiences of soldiers, sailors, and airmen, shedding light on the challenges, hardships, and triumphs they faced on the front lines. Through his research, Hawley uncovers the stories of those who served in the Burma campaign, providing a deeper understanding of the sacrifices and contributions made by these men and women.

The Calling Blighty series of films is not only a valuable source of social history but also represents a different mode from the mainstream of British wartime documentary. These films were produced during a time when the war was still ongoing, and the government had limited control over the media. As a result, the films were able to capture the raw and unfiltered experiences of soldiers, providing a unique perspective on the war that was not often seen in mainstream media.

The films also have ecological significance, as they represent a period when the film industry was transitioning from silent to sound technology. The Calling Blighty series was one of the first films to incorporate sound, and it played a significant role in shaping the future of film production and distribution.

In conclusion, the Calling Blighty series of films produced by the Combined Kinematograph Service towards the end of the Second World War were a unique and powerful form of communication that bridged the gap between the front line and the home front. These films allowed men to speak openly in their regional accents, giving a voice to the diverse communities that served in the military. They have profound meaning for remembrance, documentary representation, and the ecology of film in wartime. Through new research and analysis, this book aims to expand the history of Calling Blighty and place it in a broader context, both past and present. By exploring the roles played by individuals in the Burma campaign, Steve Hawley provides a deeper understanding of the sacrifices and contributions made by these men and women, and his work contributes to our understanding of the war and its impact on society.

Weight: 452g
Dimension: 178 x 251 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789385113