As The British Saw Themselves

2356. AS THE BRITISH SAW THEMSELVES (1948-1951-England).
1. FAMILY PORTRAIT (1951-England). Written and directed by HUMPHREY JENNINGS. Here is a rich and insightful celebration of Great Britain, made by one of that nation’s most noted documentarians in conjunction with the 1951 “Festival Of Britain.” In fact, this was to be Jennings’ last film as he died at age 43 while in Greece scouting locations for his next work. The film serves as an ode to England past and present, from the glory of Shakespeare to the wonders of modern technology. Keeping in mind the recently won war against Adolph Hitler, the viewer is reminded of the need to pause and “give thanks that we still are a family.”
2. WAVERLEY STEPS (1948-England). Directed by JOHN ELDRIDGE. This beautifully filmed visual essay on the Scottish city of Edinburgh offers a privileged glimpse into the lives of several of its citizens during a 24-hour time span. It opens with some trainmen arriving home one Sunday evening after travelling the rails. The naturalistic manner in which Edinburgh and its inhabitants are captured is quite impressive.
3. DAVID (1951-England). Written and directed by PAUL DICKSON. This splendid based-on-fact story was filmed in the Welsh town of Ammanford. It is a touching and moving reminiscence of the village and its people by a man who grew up there, with a focus on a boyhood memory of a much- beloved school caretaker. The manner in which this extraordinary man befriends the boy and his’ mates and impacts on their lives is nothing short of high drama. 93 minutes total. Documentary