Realist Film Unit

'A colour sound film funded by the Koornong School in Warrandyte, Victoria. Produced to promote awareness of the school’s activities, in particular its cooperative approach to school management, the film illustrates the traditional left ideal of collective action and again deploys the rural ideal which provides a response to the problems depicted in A Place to Live and These are Our Children. Scenes include the collective building of the school, a meeting of the school’s ‘bully committee’ to discuss students’ problems, and various activities where the emphasis is on groups of people working together. The school is located in what was a rural landscape outside Melbourne and the film shows exercise, learning and craft work in this locale as particularly wholesome activities.' (Deane Williams)

Portrait of a small French town following its liberation during World War II.

Is your hedge thin and straggly? Don't worry, help is at hand.

The story of how newspapers were distributed during the Blitz, stressing the importance of an accurate and objective press on the home front.

Short World War II documentary showing how the everyday work of British housewives aided the war effort.

Focuses upon the journey of child refugees from the Basque Country to temporary accommodation near Southampton, Hampshire [England].

"The Harvest Shall Come" is a wartime story/documentary produced by Realist Film Unit and starring John Slater. This tells the story of an ordinary farmer (Tim Grimwood), and his struggles as a boy starting out in 1900, to a farm labourer come the second world war. The story documents the ebbs and flows of the fortunes of such as him in the industry over those 40 years, and (as the name suggests) has an air of new dawn, whereby farmers essential to the war effort would at last secure a fair deal.

Part of BFI boxset Ration Books and Rabbit Pies: Films from the Home Front.