The Soviet Influence: From Turksib to Nightmail - Dual Format Edition

The small number of Russian films which were shown in Britain in the late 1920s and early 1930s excited the attention of British filmmakers and writers, and played a central role in developing ideas about film as an art-form. In particular this influence was felt in the British documentary film work of such key figures as John Grierson and Paul Rotha. This unique and fascinating release explores this influence through the formal and thematic relationships between Viktor Turin's extraordinary, yet little-seen, silent documentary Turksib (1929), and a number of British documentary films, including the celebrated Night Mail (1936). Extra Features: Dual Format Edition: includes both the Blu-ray and the DVD of the film and the extras. Workers Topical News Parts 1 and 2 (1930, 10 mins): the newsreels shown at Turksib's Britsh premiere Australian Wine (Paul Rotha, 1931): charming and lively promotional film employing Soviet-style montage. The Country Comes to Town (Basil Wright, 1931): a celebration of the importance of the British countryside. Shadow on the Mountains (Arthur Elton, 1932): expressive titles and cinematography are deployed in this lyrical film about farming. The Face of Britain (Paul Rotha, 1935): a passionate and ambitious appeal for socialist planning Night Mail (Harry Watt, Basil Wright, 1936): justly celebrated, this seminal film applies the aesthetic lessons of Soviet cinema to a very British tale.