James White is impressed by the creativity and craftmanship of the British Transport Films presented in volume 9 of the series.
Just the Ticket contains over four hours of classics from the award-winning British Transports Film Unit, with a particular focus on the staff training film, a genre often wrongly neglected but no less creative and accomplished. A good number of films such as Lost, Stolen, Damaged (1964), Train Driver (1965), Manhandling (1962) – in which a young weightlifting woman shows how to lift heavy weights and avoid unnecessary back strains – and It Takes all Sorts were likely unseen by the majority of the British public, but that in no way diminishes their originality or charm. Indeed, these films often display a wit and humour less emphasized in some of the better known titles.
The ever-dependable travelogue film makes another appearance here, with Peak District (1955) – “the green centre of a great industrial area” – and the award-winning England’s North Country (1978). They Had an Idea (1953) shows how imaginative ideas lead to innovation on the railways, and the merits of choosing rail over car is made clear in Give Your Car a Holiday (1965). Just Like the Rest of Us (1983) is a sensitive portrayal of people with disabilities which aimed to introduce staff to the idea that they want to be treated, well, just as the title suggests.
The very first title that BTF shot as a unit, Berth 24 (1950), finally makes an appearance on this volume, telling the story of the passenger and freight steamer SS Bravo, embroiled in an exciting race to keep to a turnaround timetable as it berths and prepares for departure for Gothenburg at Hull docks. The film tells the story of what this means to foreman docker George Moore and to a Swedish passenger who comes to England as a goods buyer.
Here, as with all the previous volumes in the series, one cannot fail to be impressed and delighted by the BTF Unit’s creativity, craftsmanship and innovative approaches to filmmaking. These films have been digitally remastered from the best available archival elements preserved at the BFI National Archive.
The final volume in the best-selling British Transport Films series, this 2-disc release covers a variety of topics and illustrates the wide range of subjects the BTF Unit covered during its decades of production.
Films featured are: Berth 24 (1950), Peak District (1955), Train Driver (1965), Give Your Car a Holiday (1965), Just the Ticket (1967), England's North Country (1978), Away for the Day (1952), They Had an Idea (1953), Manhandling (1962), Lost, Stolen, Damaged (1964), Go as you please in Britain (1975), It Takes all Sorts (1978), and Just Like the Rest of Us (1983).
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British Transport Films (Vol 9): Just the Ticket
