The First Days
Humphrey Jennings, Harry Watt, Pat Jackson
Commento: Robert Sinclair; M.: R.Q. Mcnaughton; Su.: Ken Cameron; Prod.: Alberto Cavalcanti, Per Gpo Film Unit; 35mm. D.: 23’ A 24 F/S. Bn.
info_outline
T. it.: Italian title. T. int.: International title. T. alt.: Alternative title. Sog.: Story. Scen.: Screenplay. F.: Cinematography. M.: Editing. Scgf.: Set Design. Mus.: Music. Int.: Cast. Prod.: Production Company. L.: Length. D.: Running Time. f/s: Frames per second. Bn.: Black e White. Col.: Color. Da: Print source
Film Notes
September 1939. Britain was now at war, and the film-makers at the GPO Film Unit, lacking any firm assignment, took to the streets to capture the bustle of a capital city adjusting to the new conditions. Some sequences are recreations. all are vivid and effective. Jennings headed one of three camera units, and R.Q. McNaughton’s editing proved crucial in knitting the material together; but Jennings’ stamp remains on many images, especially when a cat looks up into the sky at a barrage balloon – an object of war made to measure for a Surrealist painting.
Geoff Brown