Secondary Catalogue

The period leading up to and following World War II saw both communist and fascist leaders rise to power in Europe. Economic depression and the propaganda prevalent during WWII shaped perspectives on life in Britain during the Cold War period. This video investigates the inspiration behind and dystopian influences on George Orwell’s novel ‘1984’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to students studying this text. Show Less

Victorian England was heavily shaped by the Industrial Revolution. While some prospered in this society, many others lived gruelling industrial lives from which Christmas offered only a brief reprieve. This programme explores the influences on and Gothic elements of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to senior English students studying this text. Show Less

England in the mid-80s was a time of widespread industrial action and social unrest. Striking miners picketed for their jobs, while the gay community fought for their rights. This video explores the historical events and changing social attitudes and gender roles that inform the film ‘Billy Elliot’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to Senior English students studying the film. Show Less

Willy Russell’s ‘Blood Brothers’ chronicles the social circumstances that lead two brothers to tragedy. Although set in the 1960s and 70s, the musical reflects the social issues and attitudes of the time the play was written in the early 1980s. This video examines the historical and social context of the musical and provides a valuable accompaniment to Senior English students studying the film. Show Less

During and after the Second World War, political and nationalistic sentiments saw the burning and removal of books as part of reality. Post-WWII, economic prosperity in the US saw print media give way to new technologies and trends. This video explores the influences on and dystopian elements of Ray Bradbury’s novel ‘Fahrenheit 451’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to students studying this text. Show Less

The lives of women in Victorian Britain were marked by limited opportunities and strict expectations regarding their behaviour. Poor understanding of mental illness and strong beliefs surrounding religious morality influenced society’s perception of women. This programme looks into the real-life background to and Gothic aspects of Charlotte Brontë’s ‘Jane Eyre’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to senior English students studying this text. Show Less

The 1930s and ‘40s saw a wave of European film directors emigrate to the US. In the same period, anti-communist hysteria due to Cold War tensions swept across the US and paranoia became commonplace. This video delves into the historical context behind the surveillance and suspicion seen in Alfred Hitchcock’s film ‘Rear Window’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to students studying this film. Show Less

The 19th century was a time of shifting morals, behaviours and beliefs. People led secret double lives, leading authors and scientists alike to become fascinated with human psychology. This programme investigates the inspiration behind and Gothic influences on Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to senior English students studying this text. Show Less

Alan Bennett’s 'The History Boys' is set in 1983, a time when England was rife with class conflict and political reform. This video examines the events and tensions that inform Bennett’s play, from the changing roles of teachers to the social attitudes towards the gay community. It provides a valuable accompaniment to Senior English students studying The History Boys. Show Less

Police approaches towards the investigation of crimes changed greatly in the 19th century. In London, there was an explosion in the number of detectives and true crime stories experienced a surge in popularity. This programme delves into the inspiration for and Gothic features of Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Sign of Four’. It provides a valuable accompaniment to senior English students studying this text. Show Less