Children and Matches: Searching

Disturbing public information film about the dangers of letting children get hold of matches.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• public
• information
• film
• pif
• fire
• safety
• matches

[sl121011]

This PIF is called "Searching" and dates from around 1980 - scared the living daylights out of me when I was younger. As already mentioned, shame about the quality of the clip.

[piflover]

I have changed the title. Thank you!

[captainhowdy1967]

There was one that started "somebody watching this programme is going to get burgled tonight. I wonder who". That did me. It was black and white and had a 'robbers eye view' with a mini and the chap walking round the corner with this eerie whistle. Any thoughts?

[piflover]

It's on the "Charley Says" DVD. Several users have ripped films from the DVD, so run a search just in case it's on here.

[AbiH31]

I don't want to sound stupid - but what is that supposed to be at 00:38? Thanks :)

[piflover]

It's not stupid - I know the quality of the clip is terrible.

That's a close up of the wardrobe. I think it's supposed to imply that one of the children tried to hide in it during the fire.

[blade0954]

had not saw this for years,and found it just as powerful now, as i did when first broadcast

[robthemod58]

Sod the quality of the film, that PIF would scare the shit out of anyone.

[stylushead]

@sl121011 no way before 1980 i remember living in brighton mid 70s and this used to scare the shit out of me then

[BFIfilms]

A fully remastered copy of 'Searching' from original film elements has been published on the BFI's YouTube channel. For some reason I can't post a direct link, but just look for "BFIFilms Searching".

It's one of 27 similar warning and safety films included on the DVD 'The COI Collection Volume 4: Stop! Look! Listen!', released on 15 November 2010.

[ongchorcool]

@TomthatiscalledTom i got nightmares cos of that

[amyanubis]

that is some dark medievil times

[shermanvermin76]

It sounds like:

0:04 'Francis!'

0:07 'Jimmy!'

0:12 'JIMMY!' (echoing)

0:23 'MUMMY!' (echoing)

0:26 'DARA!' (echoing)

0:30 'DADDY!' (echoing)

0:36 'MUMMY!' (echoing)

[Mistoballin]

Jimay-e-ay-e-ay-e-ay!

BTW What is that in the closet?

[qgloscit]

Quality;!! the BBC would show something like this last thing at night; send you to bed scared shitless then have the cheek to say "we wish you a pleasant, peaceful night" as you go to bed with a mass arsonist on your mind!!!

[TomthatiscalledTom]

They always used to broadcast this advert right after Rainbow for maximum childhood nightmare/trauma impact, the sadistic fuckers

[AbiH31]

I agree, whatever it is looks to me like a wierd monster type thing with a long beard! Does anyone else see that? Or am I just crazy?