Overview

One of the most critically acclaimed and best-loved films produced within the British documentary movement, Night Mail (1936) tells the fascinating story of the travelling post office from Euston to Glasgow and the men who worked on it.

Initially given a modest budget of only £2000 and commissioned to promote services of the GPO, the collective talents of the GPO Film Unit led by John Grierson produced an ambitious and inventive film that became an instant success and is now regarded as a classic of its genre. The memorable final section of the film, featuring Benjamin Britten’s innovative score and verse by W H Auden is perhaps the most lyrical final sequence in the history of documentary film.

The DVD contains extras including four short films: The Way to the Sea (1936),  Spotlight on the Night Mail (1948) Thirty Million Letters (1963) and Night Mail 2 (1986), plus a booklet featuring an essay by writer and poet Blake Morrison.

Subtitles: English for the hearing impaired. Region 2. Black and White. 116 minutes (including extras)