Through rare archive footage, Nation on Film takes a fascinating look at history from both sides of the camera. The series uses footage from public and private archives, and from individual amateur film-makers.
The stories are rooted in the archive material and the film-makers. It is through film, through the excitement and fascination of interrogating images, that we explore historical themes, and offer an engaging perspective on such themes.
The series therefore offers an insight into film history and a wider social history. We look at film-makers, their motivations and techniques, and the wider context in which they were operating. Each episode deals with the importance of film as source material for discovering more about the past.
The programmes cover a range of stories and themes, but all deal with subjects that have fascinated film-makers: wildlife, holidays, family life, motor cars, aviation and football.
Nation On Film in more depth:
Film and society
BBC
Fred Davies explores the interfaces between cinema, culture and history. Read more : Film and society
Behind the camera
Used with permission
When you use film as a historical source, explains Douglas Allen, you must first understand the person behind the camera. Read more : Behind the camera
Film Archives
Used with permission
A listing of British and Irish film archives Read more : Film Archives
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Shooting The War: A VE Day Special
BBC
A special edition of the BBC/OU series Nation on Film, Shooting the War, marks the 60th anniversary of VE Day. Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Shooting The War: A VE Day Special
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Flying With Cobham
BBC
‘Flying with Cobham’ is the story of one trail-blazing pilot in the 1920s and his mission to get the British public airborne, as part of... Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Flying With Cobham
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Kearton's Wildlife
Production team for David Attenborough, BFI for photo
'Kearton's Wildlife' looks at wildlife photography and film-making in the early 20th century, part of the BBC/OU's series Nation on Film. Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Kearton's Wildlife
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Package Holidays
Production team
Exploring the emergence of package holidays, as part of the BBC/OU's series Nation on Film. Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Package Holidays
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Selling Cars
BBC
A story of how film sold the car before the days of television advertising, part of the BBC/OU's series Nation on Film. Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Selling Cars
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - The Ramsden Collection
BBC
‘The Ramsden Collection’ examines a newly-discovered collection of amateur films from Yorkshire, as part of the BBC/OU's series Nation on Film. Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - The Ramsden Collection
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Women's Football
Production team
'Women's Football' tells the story of how the rise and fall of women’s football was captured on film, part of the BBC/OU's series Nation on... Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Women's Football
First and second series of Nation On Film
BBC
Visit bbc.co.uk for full details of the first and second series, and a vast library of film footage for you explore. Read more : First and second series of Nation On Film
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