Humphrey Jennings

Humphrey Jennings has been described as the only real poet of British cinema. His documentary films employ a range of representational approaches - including collagist narrative structures and dramatic re-enactment - in ways that transcend accepted notions of wartime propaganda and revise the strict codes of British documentary file of the 1930's and 1940's. The resultant body of work is a remarkable record of Britain at peace and war.

This detailed and informed study examines a productive ambiguity of meanings associated with the subtle interaction of images and sounds within Jenings' films, and considers the ideological and institutional contexts and forces which impacted on the formal structure of his films. Central and lesser-known films are analysed, including Spare Time, Words for Battle, Listen to Britain, Fires Were Started, The Silent Village, A diary for Timothy and Family Portrait.

Poet, propagandist, surrealist and documentary filmmaker-Jennings' work embodies an outstanding mix of startling apprehension, personal expression and representational innovation. This book carefully examines and expertly explains the central components of Jennings' most significant films, and considers the relevance of his filmmaking to British cinema and contemporary experience.

Keith Beattie is a member of the Faculty of Arts and education at Deakin University, Melbourne