Available online
Description
This programme contrasts some of the British newsreel coverage of the Spanish Civil War with the work of alternative film-makers reporting on the same event. Specifically the programme concentrates... on the work of Ivor Montagu and Thorold Dickinson, both of whom appear in the programme. Excerpts from their films are compared and contrasted with newsreel clips by the presenter, Dr. Tony Aldgate, who uses this analysis to illustrate aspects of the work of a film historian.
This programme contrasts some of the British newsreel coverage of the Spanish Civil War with the work of alternative film-makers reporting on the same event. Specifically the programme concentrates... on the work of Ivor Montagu and Thorold Dickinson, both of whom appear in the programme. Excerpts from their films are compared and contrasted with newsreel clips by the presenter, Dr. Tony Aldgate, who uses this analysis to illustrate aspects of the work of a film historian.
| Module code and title: | U202, Inquiry |
|---|---|
| Item code: | U202; 07 |
| Recording date: | 03-03-1980 |
| Published: | 1980 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:30 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Roger Penfound |
| Contributors: | Tony Aldgate; Ivor Montagu |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Film history; Newsreels; Spanish Civil War; Thorold Dickinson |
| Footage description: | The programme begins with a British Movietone News item on the Spanish Civil War, first presented in July 1936. Tony Aldgate analyses the image of the conflict that is presented in this newsreel and the value of film evidence for the historian. A second newsreel extract follows, first shown in Aug. 1936, it shows the testimony of Phyllis Watkin-Williams, a British schoolteacher who was involved in some of the fighting. Tony Aldgate analyses this account, which is presented as that of a disinterested observer. He argues however, that the newsreels were fulfilling an ideological purpose. He then talks about alternative film images of the war, particularly those of the Progressive Film Institute made by Ivor Montagu. He talks to Montagu in the studio about the aims of the PFI, and his work as a producer. There follows a clip from the PFI film Defence of Madrid. Tony Aldgate and Ivor Montagu discuss the aims of the film, which were to challenge the image of the conflict as presented by the newsreels of the day and Britain's non-interventionist position. A clip from Defence of Madrid showing the International Brigade is then contrasted with a newsreel story of March 1951 showing British prisoners of war in Spain. Tony Aldgate contrasts the two images presented by these films. A clip from another P.F.I, film Spanish ABC, is shown. This shows the building of schools in Republican Spain and compares it with how much provision was made before the socialist government was elected. Tony Aldgate talks to Thorold Dickinson about the style and presentation of this film which contrasts with both the newsreels and Defence of Madrid. A second clip is then shown which highlights the work of workers institutes in providing adult education. Tony Aldgate challenges the view of Spain, as shown in this clip, and argues that the PFI were presenting their own image of Spain, equally as removed from reality as that of the newsreels. Ivor Montagu argues that the film only attempts to cover the whole education process. A third clip from the film is shown which describes the work of a priest and astronomer at the Tortosa astronomy. Tony Aldgate again challenges the view of Dickinson and Montagu that the film is merely factual and argues that it could be construed as propaganda. Dickinson and Montagu vigorously deny this suggestion and argue that they only filmed what was there. Tony Aldgate sums up the discussion in the programme and its relevance for the historian. A further newsreel is shown which contrasts the stability of Britain with that of the rest of the world. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/73473 |
| Production number: | FOUD120E |
| Videofinder number: | 1303 |
| Available to public: | no |
