Focus: A Film Review (1950-1951)

187 the strip showing the exteriors and interiors of some of the best known of these houses and ending with sixteen detailed views of Hatfield House. The term “manor house” extends to such palatial residences as Chatsworth House, but most of the illustrations are of the smaller, more familiar type of country house The original defensive features such as the curtain walls, moat and towers are shown, but the emphasis throughout is on the manor house as a home. Photographs of Haddon Hall, Montacute House and Compton Wynyates provide details of domestic interest, the chapel, the library, gallery and gardens, and finally Hatfield House is treated in detail both for its historical interest and as an example of the manor house combining elegance with comfort. This film strip would have most value for older children and would provide a useful introduction to the study of English domestic architecture and furnishing. The Castle C.G.A. No. 487. (Colour.) Price : 25s. A set of attractive drawings reconstructing life in and around a medieval castle in peace and war. The strip itself is not over-loaded with technical detail, and so is mainly suited for young seniors, but very full and valuable notes are provided, giving much interesting information and points for study. The pictures are supplemented by photographs of four or five existing castles, intended to show children what to look for when sight-seeing. Medieval Building G.B.I. Price : 15s. each. 1. The City. S.ll. A comprehensive survey of an English medieval city, beginning with its siting, design and lay-out, and showing the city walls, bridges, gates and defences, cathedral, guildhall, streets, dwellings, shops and alleys. The illustrations are chiefly from York, and the photography is good. 2. The Cathedral. S.12. A simple introduction to the development of the English Cathedral building, beginning with the vaulting, and intended to show children what to look for in the interior and exterior. Examples widely chosen and interesting. 3. The Parish Church. S.22. An excellent strip. Very good photographs, useful diagrams and captions designed to show the evolution of the parish church and its place in social life, with just enough detail to arouse interest and desire to find out more. The names of the churches are given in the titles, a point to be specially commended. 4. The Monastery. S.59. Photographs of different parts of a composite monastery, with figures of monks added to recreate monastic life in its natural setting. The photographs are good and representative ; the monks are rather blurred and ghostly, but this perhaps serves to give a not inappropriate illusion. No distinction is made between the Benedictines and Cistercians, otherwise the impression is a faithful one. The Luttrell Psalter G.B.I. S.20 and 21. Price : 15s. each. Black and white reproductions of marginal illustrations from this unique record of daily life in the Middle Ages. Strip I show's the Church, some medieval People, and Agriculture, the farming scenes being especially noteworthy. Strip 2 show's games and pastimes, and home life. TUDOR TIMES The Shakespeare Country B.I.F. No. 157. Price : 10s. This is a most attractive and interesting film strip showing the chief scenes of Shakespeare’s life and work, together with beautiful views of the countryside and villages familiar to him. The first twenty frames show the places and relics most closely connected with Shakespeare’s life — the parish church with baptismal font and parish register recording his birth and death, the grammar school and his desk, and the cottages of Anne Hathaway and