Castles in the air : British film and the reconstruction of the built environment, 1939-51
This thesis is an examination of British films which discuss and propose the reconstruction of the built enviromnent. It concentrates on the period 1939-51 but also looks at those films made during the inter-war period. It examines how and why the films were produced, and how they present the issues of reconstruction. The particular aims are to see what the films might tell us about the relationship between planners, architects, politicians and the ordinary people - the people who would be the beneficiaries of reconstruction. Secondly, to ascertain what impact the films had on popular attitudes to town planning and building. The main findings are that the films were considered a very important way of communicating with the general public and that they were specifically designed to widen the debate and the process of reconstruction beyond the professionals to ordinary citizens. However, despite these noble and sincere aims the films had only limited effect in achieving this. As a result of studying the production and distribution of the films one has also a better understanding of the relationship between film-makers and the government propaganda agencies to which they were contracted. The most important conclusion
Haggith, Toby
PN1993 Motion Pictures
Castles in the air : British film and the reconstruction of the built environment, 1939-51. This thesis is an examination of British films which discuss and propose the reconstruction of the built enviromnent. It concentrates on the period 1939-51 but also looks at those films made during the inter-war period. It examines how and why the films were produced, and how they present the issues of reconstruction. The particular aims are to see what the films might tell us about the relationship between planners, architects, politicians and the ordinary people - the people who would be the beneficiaries of reconstruction. Secondly, to ascertain what impact the films had on popular attitudes to town planning and building. The main findings are that the films were considered a very important way of communicating with the general public and that they were specifically designed to widen the debate and the process of reconstruction beyond the professionals to ordinary citizens. However, despite these noble and sincere aims the films had only limited effect in achieving this. As a result of studying the production and distribution of the films one has also a better understanding of the relationship between film-makers and the government propaganda agencies to which they were contracted. The most important conclusion
air british film reconstruction build_environment examination british film discuss propose reconstruction build concentrate period also_look film make inter_war_period examines film produce present issue reconstruction particular aim see film might tell relationship planner architect politician ordinary_people people would reconstruction secondly ascertain impact film popular_attitude town planning building main_finding film consider_important way communicate general_public specifically_design widen debate process reconstruction beyond professional ordinary citizen however_despite noble sincere aim film limited effect achieve this study production_distribution film also good relationship film makers government propaganda agency contract important conclusion