Churchill's Island (1941)

Made in Canada and clearly intended to bolster support from the "new world" for the isolated British nation, this is quite a well put together documentary that uses actuality quite effectively. Though a little overly prone to lists, the narration isn't as effusive as you might expect which gives this a little more authenticity as the photography depicts the Nazi bombings of town and cities. It also illustrates the effectiveness of the Spitfire and the Hurricane which thwarted Goering's Luftwaffe and ultimately staved off the land invasion. Switching tactics, however, the Nazi war machine turns it's attention to the shipping on the perilous Western Approaches and we see the treacherous conditions faced by sailors in the North Atlantic as the U-boats take their toll. That's where the Canadian and American industrial might helps immeasurably, delivering food, fuel, replacement weaponry and troops which works to keep the UK from starving. As it's people prepare, daily, for privation and attacks their spirit remains indomitable - even as their homes are burning around them. Of course it's propagandist in nature, but the fact that it doesn't shy away from the genuine state of affairs in the Kingdom works to it's credit and some of the photography bears testament to the bravery and ingenuity of those doing an altogether different kind of shooting.