The COI Collection Volume One: Police and Thieves

The Central Office of Information (COI) was established in April 1946 and has produced thousands of films that reflected the culture and concerns of the nation. Volume one of the COI collection tackles crime, juvenile delinquency, policing and the justice system. A variety of styles and genres – story documentary, drama, public information shorts – are employed to deliver crime prevention messages and bolster recruitment in this area. The wonderful selection of films on this two disc set have been newly transferred to high definition from the original film elements. An accompanying booklet provides comprehensive notes and essays from academics and film historians.

Disc one:

• Children on Trial (1946)
• Children of the City (1944)
• Probation Officer (1950)
• Youth Club (1954)
• A Chance for Brian (1977)

Disc two:

• Four Men in Prison (1950)
• Help Yourself (1950)
• Transatlantic Teleview 26: Man on the Beat (1956)
• British Policeman (1959)
• Unit Beat Policing (1968)
• Anything Can Happen (1973)
• Bicycle Thefts (1974)
• Snatch of the Day (1975)
• Challenge for a Lifetime (1975)