British Transport Films Collection

The library has just acquired all six volumes in the BFI’s British Transport Films Collection.

Following the nationalisation of transport in 1948, the British Transport Commission set up its own in-house film production unit. Launched on 1st May 1949, and led for 25 years by Edgar Anstey – a founding father of the British documentary movement – it became one of the largest industrial film units in Britain.

These films are now prime examples of innovation in post-war British non-fiction filmmmaking. The set includes classics such as ‘Let’s go to Birmingham’, the Free Cinema-inspired ‘Holiday’, and the award winning ‘Terminus’, directed by John Schlesinger.

The collection is shelved with the DVDs at the Main Library Issue Desk.