WITH OUR BOYS AT THE FRONT (first version) [Main Title]

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  • Title: WITH OUR BOYS AT THE FRONT (first version) [Main Title]
  • Film Number: IWM 476
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: British propaganda film of the Western Front aimed at persuading the Home population to reject any German peace offer, Spring 1918.
  • Description: The funeral of a nurse killed when one of the British military hospitals in France was bombed (deliberately, according to the film) by the Germans in their March offensive. The caption style which is very outspoken, has a 'late war' character that contrasts with visuals consisting of very old actuality footage of the Western Front. "Our glorious airmen give the enemy no respite" is backed by a portrait shot of Captain 'Billy' Bishop, and film of FE2d night bombers in the spring and summer of 1917. This is followed by a re-edited version of the Canadian attack on Courcelette in November 1916 (partly faked) taken from the series SONS OF OUR EMPIRE and from IWM 116 BATTLE OF THE ANCRE. The film's main message is the need for those at home to support the troops. "We are moving forward to Victory and our soldiers are marching along the long road without faltering. We at home must set our teeth and have patience. What are our little hardships compared to those of our men out there ? ... The wily Hun, who sees Victory slipping from his grasp, is digging a fresh pit - a sham peace offer. However tempting are his offers, they are nothing but a trap. So let us tell him that WE WANT NO PLAUSIBLE POTSDAM PEACE."
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM
  • Featured Period: 1914-1918
  • Production Date: 1918
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor) Topical Film Company (Production company)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: propaganda, British - inspirational (object name) propaganda, British - inflammatory (object name) 01/3(4-15).9 (event) 31/3(41) (event) France (geography)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Silent Soundtrack language: None Title language: English Subtitle language: English
  • Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Footage: 657 ft; Running time: 11 mins
  • HD Media:Yes
  • Notes: Summary: see also IWM 477, which has the same title and some of the same captions backed by different actuality material. There is no direct evidence that either version was ever released to the public Remarks: seen with IWM 477 this provides an extremely interesting demonstration of two separate attempts to convey the same idea in film
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    IWM 476

  • Related IWM Collections Objects:
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