British Rail Corporate Advert 1988 (Full Version) Remake

The origional brilliant 2½ minute commercial was first shown across the UK at 09:00AM on Christmas Day 1988, after much pre-publicity. it was a clever and respectful parody of the Post Office Film Unit's 25 minute documentary, 'Night Mail', made in 1936. The much loved poet W. H. Auden wrote his famous verse specifically to fit the film's footage.

The 1988 commercial cleverly shows the enormous scale of BR's daily operation and the structure of the 'sectorised' business - Parcels, Railfreight, InterCity, Provincial and Network SouthEast. The opening sequence features the northbound Travelling Post Office with Auden's original verse, narrated by Sir Tom Courtenay. Auden's unique poetic style is then developed to underlay the freight, passenger and station film sequences. The footage includes many of the railway's iconic structures including the Tyne, Forth and Saltash Bridges as well as the latest rolling stock, including the Wessex Electrics, introduced in May 1988.

This commercial was very expensive both to make and to 'air'. Consequently an abridged 90 second version was edited down to allow more extensive exposure.

This remake features my local railway NVR and the ECML with snippets of other mainlines

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• BR
• British
• Rail
• Advert
• 1988
• EWS
• NVR
• Nene
• Valley
• Railway
• Class
• 08
• 09
• 37
• 40
• A4
• Pacific
• 7p
• Duchess
• 60007
• 6233
• 60009
• mail
• train
• TPO
• Travelling
• Post
• offics
• Huswell
• Clarke
• 1800
• Thomas

[bcm409]

is that nene vally??

[NSMerryweather4771]

bits of it are

[GJDobbzy]

that Newport at 0:42

[NSMerryweather4771]

cool. i never knew that

[benskiproductions]

Great video. The best bit is when the class 37 and 40 are crossing the bridge. :)

[kineticdeath]

loving that big steam loco at 0:29, so awesome and fast. And i bet its not even trying!

[Photocadproductions]

All postings of rail on You tube are appreciated, however this is such a sad modern version of the entirely wonderful Grierson original "Night Mail" from 1936. The original verse by Auden has been recklessly attacked and the Music of Britten is unheard.

[HoorayforOliver]

Is this an actual piece of music, or was it specially made for this advertisment?

[MWCRail]

Nice one!!

[ianbillericay]

No wonder the postal service is in trouble lol

[ianbillericay]

no wonder the postal service is in such a state as its Thomas that pulls it lol