Description: Lyrical commentary over stock shot film of harvesting, peasants in traditional costume and the buildings of Prague celebrates Czechoslovakia's historical right to exist and declares "all this people wants is freedom and peace". The country's democratic ideals and progressive social policies, exemplified by the Masaryk Home for the orphans and the aged and by the comprehensive insurance scheme for workers, are recalled as are the great achievements of industrialisation and the 1938 Congress of the Sokol national sporting association. But now a shadow of "spies, prison and mechanised tyranny" has fallen over this freedom-loving and industrious people, whose political system resembles Britain's. After months of provocation by Hitler and his puppet Henlein, Benes declares martial law and the nation is mobilised. "But the Czech guns remain silent and peace is preserved" as Hitler's troops occupy first the Sudetenland and then the whole country (film of Hitler's 1939 birthday parade, Berlin). Commentary, overlooking Munich, begs audience to remember Czechoslovakia and her people preparing to fight for freedom.
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:
Object_Number:MGH 3572
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:NON-IWM
Featured Period:
Production Date:1939
Production Country: GB
Production Details: London Co-operative Society Political Committee (Production sponsor)
London Co-operative Society (Production company)
Cox, Frank W H (Production individual)
Weiss, Jiri (Production individual)
Weiss, Jiri (Production individual)
Day Lewis, C (Production individual)
Brown, Richard (Production individual)
Wright, Basil19071987 (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords:
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 2
Footage: 1584 ft; Running time: 17 mins
