Family Portrait

A look at what Britain has given the world. The terms poetry and prose are used several times - and not just in the ordinary sense. They are also used to contrast the poetry of science and the prose of technology.

It's interesting enough in its way, however, it doesn't quite come together. it lurches from one topic to another. The narrator is too strident in places, as is the music. It hasn't got the feeling of Jennings' best work. Compared to "London Can Take", "A Diary For Timothy" or "Lili Marlene", Family Portrait falls far short. Maybe Jennings needed the backdrop of war to fully bring his projects to life.

In preparation for the celebration of the 1951 Festival of Britain, this short film was released to assure British citizens of their nation's place in the world and of their own places within that nation. Illustrative scenes of farming, science, political, and social life are juxtaposed to present a familiar and reassuring image of Britain.

This documentary paints an interesting picture of Britain as a nation in transition. The narrator points out the rich history of science and culture in the country (Shakespeare, Blake, Kipling, and many others) and then tries to show where the nation is today -- who will be the next great genius? Instead, England / Britain has reason to be proud.

So do other countries (Germany, Italy), but not all countries are quite this great. England, overall, may have the best history of cultural achievements and financial success. America, which has surpassed it financially, has no culture. China, which will likely overtake America in finance, shifts the balance -- they might have the deepest culture of all.