Education Publications from the 1950s
Selected resources made available by the BFI in the 1950s to support film appreciation and education.
20 Films to use in Junior Film Societies (PDF, 34.3mb)
compiled by A. W. Hodgkinson (British Film Institute and The Society of Film Teachers, 1953)
Identifies key feature films suitable for studying with young people. Each record includes a summary of the film, examples of critical opinion and suggested discussion points.
Are They Safe at the Cinema? a considered answer to critics of the cinema (PDF, 3.66mb)
by Janet Hills (British Film Institute)
Pamphlet examining the effects of cinema on young people. Questions the notion of a causal link between sensationalist or violent films and behaviour, and outlines the potential benefits of film education and appreciation.
School Film Appreciation (PDF, 7.1mb)
by A. W. Hodgkinson, John Huntley, E. Francis Mills and Jack Smith (King's College School and British Film Institute, 1950)
Practical notes compiled by educators in the field, detailing appropriate film titles and books for study, with advice for teachers.
The Artist the Critic and the Teacher (PDF, 1.9mb)
(The Joint Council for Education through Art, 1959)
Programme for a forum presented by The Joint Council for Education through Art on the relevance of the arts to education, held at the National Film Theatre. Participants included Lindsay Anderson, John Berger, Karel Reisz and Kenneth Tynan.
Film Study Material (PDF, 850kb)
(British Film Institute, 1955)
Catalogue of films and extracts available from the British Film Institute for use in film study.

