The source which we have chosen to study is from the BFI’s (British Film Institute) monthly film bulletin. This was a periodical which ran from 1934 until 1991, reviewing every film that was released in British features within the respective month. All films from the large commercial releases to art-house films were included, with a detailed review and release date of each picture.

In its entirety, the primary objective of the bulletin would have been to sell copies. However, as the BFI is an organisation existing within the public sector of the economy, it would be fair to assume that during the World War 2 period (1st September, 1939 – 2nd September, 1945) and the surrounding years, the reviews would be modified to suit wartime needs. For instance, reviews for films released during the period may be more in favour of films which are motivational, painting the Allies in a positive light whilst simultaneously vilifying the Axis nations. Therefore, positive reviews would encourage civilians to view them. Examples of films within this period include The Great Dictator (1940), Man Hunt (1941) and notably Hangmen Also Die! (1943) which depicted the death of Reinhard Heydrich (“The Hangman”), a high-ranking Nazi official who died at the hands of an Allied assassination mission. Films as these would most likely not receive negative views in order to keep spirits high.

This item would be effective in telling us exactly how the war affected cinema in the UK, as it displays exactly the content put out during that period. As the bulletin reviewed every film that came out each year, reading it would also give modern day scholars an insight into the opinions of an audience of the time. A clear theme of war in these films (as the examples stated show) may have altered the cinematic audience slightly. Women might have been put off going to the cinema and seeing war focused films as it would remind them of the trauma and danger their husbands, fathers and sons were in at that moment. Although many of the films produced in the UK would have favoured Britain and shown a positive outcome, the action of violence and innocent deaths during such a difficult time may have reduced audience numbers. World War films have become increasingly popular in the 21st century with a male target audience and so it would be interesting to know whether they were as popular at the time the war was occurring.

This bulletin had given us an insight not only into how audiences were reacting to film during the war, but how it was utilised as propaganda and recruitment. It would be easy to think that the film industry might slow at a time of such economic deficiency, however these film bulletins prove that it not only thrived but was used to help the war effort.