British Cinema and the Second World War

The Second World War was such a cataclysmic event that its echoes still reverberate over fifty years after it ended. One of the prime means of exploring the impact of the war has been the feature film. From In Which We Serve, Millions Like Us and The Way to the Stars, made during the war, to Above Us the Waves and the Dam Busters made in the 1950s, the war film became a staple of British cinema- but popular success was not paralleled by critical approval. Most criticism of British war films has been negative and sometimes derogatory, partly because of an intellectual preference for European and Hollywood cinema, and partly as a reaction against films which seemed to celebrate war. However, sufficient historical distance has now opened up to allow a more judicious view. From modestly budgeted, small-scale dramas like Sea of Sand to expensive and ambitious recreations of famous battles like A Bridge Too Far, these films show an impressive attention to truth and authenticity, while films such as The Cruel Sea stand out as unequalled explorations of the bleak reality of war. This unique book covers the whole range of British films about the Second World War, right up to The Land Girls (1998). It deals extensively with films made during the war but also offers detailed analysis of the huge numbers of films made after the war. Cinema reflected the all-pervasive nature of the war, and there are chapters devoted to war comedies, the representation of women and romance in relation to the war, and the disturbing legacy of the war on society. Complete with 25 black and white film stills and a comprehensive filmography and bibliography, British Cinema and the Second World War is an important resource for historians and film students alike. Robert Murphy is Professor in Film Studies at De Montfort University. He is the editor of British Cinema of the 90s (BFI Publications) and co-editor of British Crime Cinema (Routledge).