Newsreel and Cinemagazine Videotapes and DVDs

Below is a list of newsreel and cinemagazine videotapes and DVDs currently available, with links to online video stores where applicable.

Historical Time Travel – Wartime Newsreels

Features newsreel clips which offer an insight into the turbulent post-war era. DVD (region 2), two discs, 148 mins. Available from Sendit.

Land of Promise: The British Documentary Movement 1930-1950

This major retrospective of documentary film-making from the BFI, features 40 films over four DVDs and includes two cinemagazines: Britain Can Make It and Mining Review.

DVD (region 2), 720 mins. Available from the bfi

Look At Life: British Cold War Jets

A compilation of nine editions of the Rank cinemagazine Look at Life featuring military aviation footage from Lightnings, Vulcans and Victors, Scimitars, Sea Vixens, Gannets and Buccaneers.

DVD (region 2), 84 mins.

Look At Life: Swinging London

Sixteen Look at Life stories focusing on London in the 1960s including: REPORT ON THE RIVER, SHOPPING BY THE TON, RISING TO HIGH OFFICE, COFFEE BARS, IN GEAR, CHANGE AT THE TOWER, FIRE OVER LONDON, GOODBYE, PICCADILLY, MARKET PLACE, MEMBERS ONLY, TOP PEOPLE, ON THE METER, EATING HIGH, DOWN LONDON RIVER

DVD (region 2), 124 mins. Available from Amazon

Roundabout Volume 1

Examples from the Central Office of Information’s 1960s cinemagazine Roundabout, designed for exhibition overseas to promote the British way of life.

DVD (region 2), 56 mins. Available from Panamint.

International Historic Films is an American firm with a wide range of newsreel-related videos available through its website, on VHS PAL and NTSC. They include compilations of British, America and German (Deutsche Wochenschau) newsreels for the two world wars, as well as the World War II documentary on British newsreel cameramen, CAMERAMEN AT WAR.

These titles are now deleted but may be found second-hand through some online sellers:

British Movietone News – Vol. 1 – Major Disasters

British Movietone News – Vol. 2 – Great Events

British Movietone News – Vol. 3 – Triumph Of Flight

British Movietone News – Vol. 4 – Early Cup Finals 1932 – 1950

British Movietone News – Vol. 5 – Animal Classics

British Movietone News – Vol. 6 – Challenge Of The Sea

British Movietone News – Vol. 7 – Motoring And Racing 1929 – 1979

British Movietone News – Vol. 8 – Fashion And Beauty

British Movietone News – Vol. 9 – Horse Race Greats

British Movietone News – Vol. 10 – Cup Finals 1951-1963

British Movietone News – World War II – The Complete History [five discs]

A Year to Remember [Pathe series of annual compilations, 1924-1995]

 

Further Reading: