http://www.bdcmuseum.org.uk/explore/item/39315/
What kind of item is this?
The item we chose was a book made up of essays on British cinema in WW2. The essays were edited together by Phillip M Taylor, who is a lecturer in International History at the University of Leeds. There are multiple aspects that the book focusses on, including the influence of film towards social development, changes in the representation of women and national identity in British wartime films.
Why and for whom do you think it was created?
Most of the essays included in this book were written to be delivered at a conference on British Cinema in WW2 held in London in May 1985. This tells us that the essays were mainly created for academics interested in British cinema during this time period.
What might this item might tell us about how the war affected cinema in the UK?
This item can tell us many things about how the war affected cinema in Britain. There are several essays covering a wide range of topics. For example, there is an essay on national identity during British wartime. This could give us insight into how patriotic cinema was at the time, and how the medium could be used for propaganda purposes. Furthermore, there is also an essay on the representation of women. This could tell us more about how women’s changing role in society (which was partly affected by the war) was reflected in their onscreen representations.
What can’t it tell us – what else might you want/need to know to better interpret this item?
However, there are some limitations to the artefact which inhibit its usefulness as a source. For example, all of the essays which make up the book were written after the time period in question, so the artefact does not represent the perspective of anyone at the time. While this does reap the benefits of hindsight, it could be considered a flaw because it only grants a narrow perspective of the topic. To better interpret the artefact, a more significant inclusion of primary sources with emphasis on timely perspectives would be required.
This is a very clear and considered blog post that features a highly relevant source in Phillip M Taylor’s edited collection Britain and the Cinema in the Second World War. You have reflected well on what the book can tell us (i.e. national identity, the shifting roles of women during the war and how this was reflected onscreen) and I like that you have given specific contextual details about its publication and how it stemmed from a 1985 conference. In turn, you quite rightly highlight that the book looks back retrospectively and would be better understood in conjunction with primary sources. A couple of minor things: a google search could have provided you with an image of the cover which would further enhance your post. As you point out the book in question is an edited collection, so it may be useful to provide the names of the authors of the selected chapters on women and national identity. Good work.