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Product Description
Using rare news footage and interviews from the incredible British Pathé archive, this extra-ordinary series provides a unique year by year look at what made the news of yesteryear. With a comprehensive hour long programme on each year of the 1950s, this 3 disc - set package provides the definitive insight into the decade that took us from post-war austerity to consumer boom.
The morale-boosting Festival of Britain in 1951 was held to encourage commerce in challenging times - rationing was still in effect and the post-war baby boom come to fruition in the birth of 'teenage' culture. This sizeable younger population was making its new found spending power felt with the rise of 'Rock n Roll' and the emergence of coffee shops on street corners. Although the decade began with a Labour government with Clement Attlee as Prime Minister, the Conservatives would dominate the decade with Winston Churchill, Anthony Eden and Howard Macmillan all taking residence at 10 Downing Street. It was a challenging time for the politicians as they dealt with the Suez Canal Crisis, the Soviet invasion of Hungary, further H-Bomb testing and, closer to home, the horrific Harrow and Wealdstone train disaster. The whole country was also united in grief with the passing of King George VI, and then with pride as the masses witnessed the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
It was also a period marked by scientific and technological progress; the first Sputnik Satellite, the last ride on the London Tram, the Polio vaccination and, much to the dislike of motorists everywhere, the introduction of the parking meter.
This collection also features some of the more light hearted events of the decade such as Bing Crosby playing golf in Scotland, Bolton Wanderers beating Manchester United to lift the FA Cup and the 100th Varsity Boat Race. Relive all these events and many, many more with "A Year To Remember: The 1950s"
9 hours 45 mins; Black and White.
Product Description
Using rare news footage and interviews from the incredible British Pathé archive, this extraordinary series provides a unique year by year look at what made the news of yesteryear. With a comprehensive hour long programme on each year of the 1950s, this 3 disc - set package provides the definitive insight into the decade that took us from post-war austerity to consumer boom. The morale-boosting Festival of Britain in 1951 was held to encourage commerce in challenging times - rationing was still in effect and the post-war baby boom come to fruition in the birth of 'teenage' culture.This sizeable younger population was making its new found spending power felt with the rise of 'Rock n Roll' and the emergence of coffee shops on street corners. Although the decade began with a Labour government with Clement Attlee as Prime Minister, the Conservatives would dominate the decade with Winston Churchill, Anthony Eden and Howard Macmillan all taking residence at 10 Downing Street. It was a challenging time for the politicians as they dealt with the Suez Canal Crisis, the Soviet invasion of further H-Bomb testing and, closer to home, the horrific Harrow and Wealdstone train disaster.The whole country was also united in grief with the passing of King George VI, and then with pride as the masses witnessed the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. It was also a period marked by scientific and technological progress; the first Sputnik Satellite, the last ride on the London Tram, the Polio vaccination and, much to the dislike of motorists everywhere, the introduction of the parking meter.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Alan James "Maebuschfan"
TOP 100 REVIEWER
Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a nostalgic and enjoyable collection from the British Pathe Film Library archives, with each year from the 1950's allocated almost an hour's viewing time, with many familiar (and not so familiar) domestic and international events of the day presented in chronological order.
The varied selection of news articles and briefs includes the likes of The Festival of Britain, the Suez Crisis, as well as the coronation of Queen Elizabeth 11 (filmed in colour), along with coverage of many other Royal engagements throughout the decade. Medical breakthroughs featured include the development of the vaccine for polio. Sporting disasters include the dreadful motor racing crash at Le Mans in 1955 and the Munich air disaster of 1958.
Many of the light-hearted articles cover such subjects as sport, showbiz and fashion. With many of the individual films running for around one to two minutes, I found plenty to get my teeth into in this black and white collection, I've really only scratched the surface of this release. The films flow seamlessly from one to the next. Although there is no chapter menu's on the discs, the chapters are evenly spread, though not at the beginning of many of the films.
The picture and sound quality is generally OK, there are no extras or subtitles. The only small gripe I have is with the packaging - the 'folding' case which holds the 3 discs has no outer casing to slide into. Other than that, this is an informative and entertaining collection from the iconic newsreel film-makers of yesteryear.
Here is a few details of the disc contents and the number of news items:
****DISC ONE****
1950 - Over 40 items.
1951 - Over 30 items.
1952 - Over 25 items.
1953 - Over 25 items.
****DISC TWO****
1954 - Over 30 items.
1955 - Over 40 items.
1956 - Over 25 items.
****DISC THREE****
1957 - Over 30 items.
1958 - Over 30 items.
1959 - Over 30 items.
The varied selection of news articles and briefs includes the likes of The Festival of Britain, the Suez Crisis, as well as the coronation of Queen Elizabeth 11 (filmed in colour), along with coverage of many other Royal engagements throughout the decade. Medical breakthroughs featured include the development of the vaccine for polio. Sporting disasters include the dreadful motor racing crash at Le Mans in 1955 and the Munich air disaster of 1958.
Many of the light-hearted articles cover such subjects as sport, showbiz and fashion. With many of the individual films running for around one to two minutes, I found plenty to get my teeth into in this black and white collection, I've really only scratched the surface of this release. The films flow seamlessly from one to the next. Although there is no chapter menu's on the discs, the chapters are evenly spread, though not at the beginning of many of the films.
The picture and sound quality is generally OK, there are no extras or subtitles. The only small gripe I have is with the packaging - the 'folding' case which holds the 3 discs has no outer casing to slide into. Other than that, this is an informative and entertaining collection from the iconic newsreel film-makers of yesteryear.
Here is a few details of the disc contents and the number of news items:
****DISC ONE****
1950 - Over 40 items.
1951 - Over 30 items.
1952 - Over 25 items.
1953 - Over 25 items.
****DISC TWO****
1954 - Over 30 items.
1955 - Over 40 items.
1956 - Over 25 items.
****DISC THREE****
1957 - Over 30 items.
1958 - Over 30 items.
1959 - Over 30 items.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By DS9
Amazon Verified Purchase
Pathe released much of its 1950's archival material on VHS some years ago; this DVD release marks the conversion from that format and also provides a fascinating glimpse into British life during that period.
It's actually surprising that Movietone haven't yet jumped on the nostalgia bandwagon, but even the BBC seems slow to realise the buying power of the immediate post-war generation and the desire to recapture a period of their lives that was covered by the movie camera. This release marks an excellent start, however, and the material has been carefully sorted and presented, so that apparently interminable clips of the Royal Family waving from a variety of conveyances can be skipped, if desired. Well worth buying.
It's actually surprising that Movietone haven't yet jumped on the nostalgia bandwagon, but even the BBC seems slow to realise the buying power of the immediate post-war generation and the desire to recapture a period of their lives that was covered by the movie camera. This release marks an excellent start, however, and the material has been carefully sorted and presented, so that apparently interminable clips of the Royal Family waving from a variety of conveyances can be skipped, if desired. Well worth buying.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By D. Woolford
Amazon Verified Purchase
Brilliant review of the 1950's. Covers build up of Cold War, rationing, cars, new gadgets and fashion. I like it because it covers the serious and the silly things that happened.
I'm a sucker for these DVDs they are a must if you love 20th century history plus a trip down memory lane.
Hope they release the British Movietone archive one day.
I'm a sucker for these DVDs they are a must if you love 20th century history plus a trip down memory lane.
Hope they release the British Movietone archive one day.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
1950
love looking back from the year i was born . the change from fashion , housing , employment etc . my dad often watches them from the 40s onwards.
Published 1 month ago by toytown
5.0 out of 5 stars
Happy customer
I was very impressed with this collection of D.V.D.s. They arrived in great cond. and promptly One very happy customer here.
Published 1 month ago by mossley-man
5.0 out of 5 stars
pathe news
chose five stars because that is what it deserves. these pathe news DVDs bring back such wonderful memories of when my husband and i first met
Published 3 months ago by ann c hughes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Memories
Extremely good value as it turned out with each year being an hour, with one of two global overviews to assist
Published 11 months ago by R. P. Nicholson
Listmania!
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