The Next of Kin

Features rare and fascinating original films preserved in the British War Museum's vaults. Many have never been released to the public before and are presented here, complete and uncut, for the very first time. These films are of great historical importance and are essential viewing for anyone interested in British military and aviation history. 'THE NEXT OF KIN' A British Commando brigade sets out on a daring raid against a Nazi-held harbour - unaware that Nazi agents have infiltrated their base and already know about their secret plan. Highly praised for its strong cast (including Mervyn Johns, Jack Hawkins, Basil Radford and Thora Hird) and superb battle scenes, Made by the celebrated Ealing Studios in 1941. Commissioned by the War Office and directed by Thorold Dickinson, it was intended as a stark warning about the danger of fifth columnists - Nazi spies and saboteurs working undercover in wartime Britain - and enjoyed a huge success at the box office. However, the film personally alarmed Winston Churchill, who thought that the plot - about a British Commando raid going wrong through 'careless talk' - was bad for morale and wanted it banned. "THE NEW LOT" Directed by Carol Reed and scripted by Peter Ustinov and Eric Ambler for the Army Kinematographic Service in 1942, this film takes five very different new recruits to the British Army during the Second World War and shows how they could be turned into an efficient, well-motivated team. David Niven was later to use this film as the basis for the more famous and celebrated 'The Way Ahead'. 'READ ALL ABOUT IT' An Army Bureau of Current Affairs film - directed by Roy (Ward) Baker and made on location at Wembley Studios between April-July1945 - dramatising a discussion with the ex-editor of a newspaper about how to read newspapers intelligently and put the news in its proper perspective. 'WHATS THE NEXT JOB?' Directed by Roy (Ward) Baker in 1945 it gives a general introduction, in a story frame-work, to the job finding services and training schemes the government provide for servicemen and women after the war. An Army lieutenant and his Wren girlfriend meet a young airman and an old munitions worker: all are about to be 'demobbed and uncertain about their futures; they agree to meet in a year to compare progress.