Manchester University celebrates influential GPO Film unit

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-medi ... 909246419/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Media academics from around the world are gathering at the University of Manchester this weekend to pay tribute to the General Post Office Film Unit, which closed 70 years ago.

Manchester University celebrates influential GPO Film unit
The Government department was established in 1933 and worked with the likes of WH Auden and Benjamin Britten, to document modern day life.

“The influence of these films can be seen in so many places, from Coronation Street to reality soaps, Ealing Studios and The Green Cross Code Man,” explained media historian, Dr Scott Anthony.

“They have an immense cultural importance to this country.”

One of the most famous examples of the Unit’s work is Night Mail, set to Auden’s poem. Apparently the writer also appeared in Calendar of the Year, bizarrely in the role of Father Christmas.

At the time though, the most popular film was The King’s Stamp (1935), which appealed to enthusiastic philatelists who were able to see the history of the King George V stamp - all set to a score by Britten.

“Long tarred by the eccentric brush of Harry Enfield’s ‘Mr Chumley Warner’, the films are now being reassessed and being seen as the true works of art that they really are,” continued Dr Anthony.

“Not only are they watchable but their broad-minded and amazingly contemporary approach to issues such as citizenship, public services, Britain ’s place in the world, the effect of new technology and the nation’s diet, appears to be becoming ever more relevant.

“Internationally important directors, artists, composers, poets, painters and writers took shelter at the GPO Film Unit in the years following the depression or to escape dictatorships. For this reason the Unit has long fascinated contemporary artists, including Alan Bennett, whose new play focuses on an imaginary meeting between an old aged Auden and Britten.”

GPO Film on You Tube: Night Mail http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gmq6mFAE ... r_embedded" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Thunderthighs]

I was shown Night Mail in school in the 60's. Great film and rhythm to the over dubbed sound track.
BRING BACK STEAM !!!

[Lounge Lizard]

I was shown Night Mail in school in the 60's. Great film and rhythm to the over dubbed sound track.
BRING BACK STEAM !!!

Bring back TPOs.

[Jack Mehoff]

I was shown Night Mail in school in the 60's. Great film and rhythm to the over dubbed sound track.
BRING BACK STEAM !!!

Bring back TPOs.

Bring back full time positions in RM

[Lounge Lizard]

I was shown Night Mail in school in the 60's. Great film and rhythm to the over dubbed sound track.
BRING BACK STEAM !!!

Bring back TPOs.

Bring back full time positions in RM

Bring back one pouch deliveries.

[DGP1]

I was shown Night Mail in school in the 60's. Great film and rhythm to the over dubbed sound track.
BRING BACK STEAM !!!

Bring back TPOs.

Bring back full time positions in RM

Bring back one pouch deliveries.

I thought that was what we were doing now............................at least according to RMs figures

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I was shown Night Mail in school in the 60's. Great film and rhythm to the over dubbed sound track.
BRING BACK STEAM !!!

Bring back TPOs.

Bring back full time positions in RM

Bring back one pouch deliveries.

I thought that was what we were doing now............................at least according to RMs figures

Yep - 1 pouch like this

[IWW Fellow Worker]

I have the 'Night Mail' DVD. It has several other short films on it as well as the original 'Night Mail'. Some of the more recent films take me back to when I first became a postman almost 30 years ago when Royal Mail (the GPO) was there to provide a service. We had managers who knew the job and had worked their way up over a long period via the Registered Locker, PED, PEC, PEB etc. who had respect and were respected. These days we have obnoxious pieces of crap who think wearing a tie gives them a licence to question the integrity of the postmen and postwomen who earn the cash these alleged 'managers' pick up every month.