British Rail Corporate Advert 1988 (Full Version)

This brilliant 2½ minute commercial was first shown across the UK at 09:00AM on Christmas Day 1988, after much pre-publicity. It is 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.

Directed by Hugh Hudson with music by Vangelis.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• BR
• British
• Rail
• Advert
• 1988