The Battle of Britain

PUBLIC OPINION [Main Title]

0

Fair Use

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Catalogue number
  • UKY 733
Production date
1945
Place made
GB
Subject period
Creator
Category
film

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

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Object description

Film describing the factors which influence public opinion.

Full description

The film takes the form of a dramatised dialogue, set in a post-war exhibition. A man encountering a propaganda leaflet container compares it disparagingly to an explosive bomb; another visitor, who takes on the role of narrator, then explains the importance of propaganda - "You can knock peoples minds about as well as their bodies." He displays a miniature printing press dropped to the resistance in Europe, and enumerates the factors which influence public opinion - the daily paper, magazines and digests, library books, etc. The printed word has great power for good or evil. The power of speech and received opinions - in daily conversation or through radio and cinema. Diversity of opinion and need for freedom of speech. Public opinion is mobilised by groups of like-minded people joining together, eg the NSPCC. Trade unions represent Britain's biggest group of organised opinion. Examples of successful agitators for reform - Wilberforce, Nightingale, Fry, etc. Legislation is the result of public opinion being brought to bear on parliament - to realise your views you must form groups, parties, unions "...and demand what you want, and damn well see to it that you make your opinion felt."

Physical description

35mm

Associated keywords

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