Twenty-One Miles (1942)

Also called “Dover” for our American cousins, this is a functional short feature depicting the life of the citizens of Dover in Kent. This was a part of the UK that was perilously close to the Nazi war machine and frequently felt it’s effects as this ancient town was bombed regularly whilst living under a constant threat of invasion. The photography in Dover is the basis for a broader exercise in bolstering morale in 1942 when the worst effects of the war were still being felt in parts of Southern Britain that were in ruins - but that were beginning to get back onto the front foot after the airborne “Battle of Britain” was won. It’s peppered with some contributions from military and civilian contributors alike that illustrate a bit of the pluckiness, spirit and humour that typified the stiff upper lip mentality that prevailed amongst ordinary folks and does give us an indication of just how tough life was.