CLEARING THE LINES [Main Title]

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Media files

  • Title: CLEARING THE LINES [Main Title]
  • Film Number: NAT 21
  • Other titles: TRANSPORT (working title) [Alternative Title] CHANGING FACE OF EUROPE NO 5 [Alternative Title] GRAENSERNE SVINDER (Danish title) [Alternative Title] GRENZEN DIE ONS SCHEIDEN (Dutch title) [Alternative Title] SANS VISA NI FRONTIERE (French title) [Alternative Title] FREIE BAHN (German title) [Alternative Title] GREIDARI SAMGÖNGUR (Icelandic title) [Alternative Title] VIA LIBERA (Italian title) [Alternative Title] GRENSENE (Norwegian title) [Alternative Title] REMOVENDO BARREIRAS (Portuguese title) [Alternative Title] ÖPPNA ALLA VÄGAR! (Swedish title) [Alternative Title] MILLETLERI BIRLESTIREN YOLLAR (Turkish title) [Alternative Title] CHANGING FACE OF EUROPE [Series Title] GRAND DESIGN PROGRESS REPORT FROM EUROPE [Alternative Series Title] MARSHALL PLAN FILMS [Allocated Series Title]
  • Summary: The story of modern transport in Europe which, despite the progress made in rebuilding roads, railways and airports, is still faced with the problem of man-made barriers. The film presents an earnest plea for a Europe without frontiers. It advocates a strong argument for tearing down the barriers that divide Western Europe, impair the exchange of goods and restrict the movement of peoples.
  • Description: The fifth title in the CHANGING FACE OF EUROPE series. This film concerns the ongoing problems faced, in mid-20th century Europe, in the movement of goods and people - despite advances made in transportation. Historically, the development of transport has given greater freedom and potential to Europeans. However, though technology has facilitated triumph over natural barriers, those barriers of human construction remain. The film emphasises that this potential has remained untapped; resulting in historical transport planning and contemporary border restrictions ill-suited to Europe. The film notes, for example, that the Copenhagen to Rome train takes longer, in 1950, than it did prior to the First World War. While much of Europe's transport infrastructure was destroyed during the Second World War, it has been rebuilt and improved upon, thanks to aid from the United States in the form of Marshall Plan money and materials. The rebuilt ports of Duisburg and Rotterdam are shown. The use of radar in crowded estuaries now allows for safer navigation. The transnational character of trade is highlighted, with goods passing through Basle and exports of fish from Denmark and furniture from Sweden. Tourism is of particular attraction in Europe, given the variety between the mountains of Switzerland and the shores of the Mediterranean. However, while tourism can be recognised as a boost to economies and the freedom of people, border restrictions limit these benefits. Aeroplane transport is used to illustrate how travel possibilities have been revolutionised and require a freer form of movement. The film ends with the assertion that border restrictions inhibit movement and inhibit the growth of unity.
  • Alternative Title: TRANSPORT (working title) [Alternative Title] CHANGING FACE OF EUROPE NO 5 [Alternative Title] GRAENSERNE SVINDER (Danish title) [Alternative Title] GRENZEN DIE ONS SCHEIDEN (Dutch title) [Alternative Title] SANS VISA NI FRONTIERE (French title) [Alternative Title] FREIE BAHN (German title) [Alternative Title] GREIDARI SAMGÖNGUR (Icelandic title) [Alternative Title] VIA LIBERA (Italian title) [Alternative Title] GRENSENE (Norwegian title) [Alternative Title] REMOVENDO BARREIRAS (Portuguese title) [Alternative Title] ÖPPNA ALLA VÄGAR! (Swedish title) [Alternative Title] MILLETLERI BIRLESTIREN YOLLAR (Turkish title) [Alternative Title] CHANGING FACE OF EUROPE [Series Title] GRAND DESIGN PROGRESS REPORT FROM EUROPE [Alternative Series Title] MARSHALL PLAN FILMS [Allocated Series Title]
  • Colour:
  • Digitised: Yes
  • Object_Number: NAT 21
  • Sound:
  • Access Conditions: IWM NATO © NATO (IWM, NAT 21)
  • Featured Period: 1945-1989
  • Production Date: 1951-1951
  • Production Country:GB
  • Production Details:Economic Cooperation Administration, Office of the Special Representative in Europe (Sponsor) Wessex Film Productions Ltd, London (Production company) Dalrymple, Ian Murray (Production individual) Anzarut, Raymond (Production individual) Mander, Kay (Production individual) Chesshire, Deborah (Production individual) Jones, Jonah (Production individual) Harris, Len (Production individual) Fisher, Gerry (Production individual) Pascoe (Johnson?), Olga (Production individual) Legg, Stuart (Production cast)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations:
  • Keywords:
  • Physical Characteristics:Colour format: Colour Sound format: Sound Soundtrack language: English Soundtrack language: German Title language: English Title language: German
  • Technical Details:English 35mm - Footage: 1727 ft; Running time: c. 19 mins German 35mm - Footage: 1135 ft; Runing time: c. 12 mins 30 secs
  • HD Media:Yes
  • Link to IWM Collections page:
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