Christmas Under Fire (1941)

Despite the Blitz, it's 'business as usual' as England prepares for Christmas in this propaganda film intended for US audiences. It's a Christmas of holly and barbed wire, guns and tinsel, yet the British, we are told, are determined to make it as cheerful as possible.

"England is fighting for her life", asserts the American narrator, but it is admiration rather than pity that the film seeks to evoke. The filmmakers achieve this with emotions bigger than most 10-minute films could contain, as we watch plucky Londoners creating a subterranean Christmas on Underground platforms and the choristers of King's College sing their hearts out. While no doubt intended to encourage US support in the War, 'Christmas Under Fire' ultimately offers a portrait of a nation "unbeaten, unconquered and unafraid". (Poppy Simpson)

You can watch over 2000 other complete films and TV programmes from the BFI National Archive free of charge at the BFI Mediatheque. There are Mediatheques at BFI Southbank, London, QUAD, Derby, Central Library, Cambridge, Wrexham Library and the Discovery Museum, Newcastle:
http://www.bfi.org.uk/mediatheque
http://www.derbyquad.co.uk/bfi-mediatheque
http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/online/bfi_media.htm
http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/community/libraries/LibHome.htm
http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/discovery/

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• BFI
• WW2
• War
• Christmas
• carols
• children
• Underground
• London
• Blitz
• Cambridge
• propaganda
• 1940s
• choir
• pantomime
• theatre
• England
• Christian
• Christianity
• church

[UK5098]

@TheJunglesound 1941, no-one knew about them in the UK at that time.

[macthornberg]

The English ARE British too, but have their own heritage independent of Welsh, Scots, Irish. Noone would deny them their nationality, would they? Oh yes, the fucking EU would.

[rbrooks2007]

This along with Leslie Howard's From The Four Corners is one short clip I've not seen in decades. Thanks BFI for posting this.

[askjiir]

@MrPiens

He actually looks like him.

[MrPiens]

8:51 omg Stalin

[Vevey2004]

Amazing. It certainly was our finest hour and we certainly proved ourselves worthy of that high honour! I'm really moved and touched by this video.

[Microglia1]

I was born in a remote country in the middle of a savaged war. I can tell you, having survived it, that war makes the innocent years of childhood feel more precious than gifts of gold and frankincense. I could never forget the first dip of bread in sweetened milk...I had to deliver a lot of coal for it.

[Nilguiri]

@andwhynotindeed

Tell that to the septics who invaded the WRONG COUNTRY!

[andwhynotindeed]

@Nilguiri I'm saying, if you're stating facts, get them right.

[Nilguiri]

@andwhynotindeed

So, you are saying I'm right, just haggling over the numbers.

[andwhynotindeed]

@marvy1118 Feeling proud of national "blood" (which is all the same across man-made borders - just divided by blood group ) is what got us into this mess in the first place!

[andwhynotindeed]

@wastedwasted3 The USSR got to stomp across Europe because of Hitler's actions. That's not what he intended. But he was the arrogant idiot who started it.