FROM THE FOUR CORNERS

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: CBE 200).

Synopsis

Leslie Howard explains to three Dominion soldiers why the Empire is at war.

The soldiers - from Australia, Canada and New Zealand - meet in Trafalgar Square, where a gushing lady commends them for "answering the mother country's call". Leslie Howard, the actor, rescues them, buys them a drink, then takes them to Saint Paul's and shows them that the reason they are fighting is not in answer to anyone's 'call', but in voluntary defence of the heritage Britain has in common with her Empire. The film also appears to intend a play for American support - Howard adopts the preamble of the Declaration of Independence as a shorthand statement of Britain's war aims.

 

Titles

  • FROM THE FOUR CORNERS
 

Technical Data

Year:
1941
Running Time:
16 minutes
Film Gauge (Format):
16mm
Colour:
B&W
Sound:
Sound
Footage:
562 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
GB
Sponsor
Ministry of Information
actor
Howard, Leslie
director
Havelock-Allen, A
producer
Havelock-Allen, A
Production company
Denham and Pinewood Studios
scenario ("originated")
Howard, Leslie
scenario ("originated")
Macdonald, A G