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Post by Gene Hunt on Jun 25, 2015 18:39:19 GMT
I remember that one well Arthur. Very disturbing indeed. The PIF DVD from Network sounds a good buy too. Gene
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Del Boy
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Post by Del Boy on Jun 25, 2015 21:03:23 GMT
Its very Star Wars in some ways. The way he speaks and of course the robes. Maybe George Lucas saw it and was influenced during a trip to London in 1973
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Post by Windy Miller on Jun 26, 2015 11:44:03 GMT
I well remember the Spirit of Dark Water film. The arrogant kid with the long hair at the muddy pool, trying to retrieve the ball always made me laugh. I can remember some of the script, even after all these years. The haunting "I'll be back", at the end sends a terrifying chill down any kids spine. (Still does today) Thanks for posting that.
I guess they don't do these films today because these subjects get covered in school, and it's a bit Nanny state, as Steve has said.
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Post by Arthur Pringle on Jun 27, 2015 23:08:07 GMT
Little Terry Sue Patt who sadly passed away recently also appears in 'Lonely Water'.
No doubt many members have seen 'Apaches', one of the longer pifs that were shown in schools & selected tv regions, but in case anyone hasn't seen it, it is directed by John MacKenzie, best known for 'The Long Good Friday', he made another disturbing feature length pif 'Say No To Strangers' featuring a clip from The Sweeney ep. 'Thou Shalt Not Kill!', a young Barry the Radish with a Rubik Cube & Herr Ulrich. For my money, 'Apaches' contains one of the most unpleasant moments in any film I've ever seen, by that I mean literally any film not just pifs.
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Post by Tyne Tees Colour on Jul 1, 2015 10:02:57 GMT
I think several of the PiFs would be considered too graphic and disturbing nowadays.
The message now seems to be "wear hi-viz so you can be seen in a risk environment".
Rather than "this is what will happen if you do something dangerous".
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Post by Peter Picard on Jun 25, 2021 17:15:34 GMT
The BFI are marking the 75th anniversary of the Central Office of Information. They have made 75 films available to watch on their website including Lonely Water.
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Nightfly
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Post by Nightfly on Jun 25, 2021 17:33:24 GMT
Thanks for the link to the PIF's Peter Picard . Had some of them on video but they probably got lost during a house move. For my money, 'Apaches' contains one of the most unpleasant moments in any film I've ever seen, by that I mean literally any film not just pifs. I can guess which scene you mean, Arthur. It was shown at my school and quite relevant for our area which is surrounded by farms. One we didn't get to see, but obviously some schools did was "The Finishing Line" about railway line safety, circa 1977. It's pretty graphic/gruesome. I think it's on Youtube but if you have a weak stomach, you might be better off watching my favourite PIF instead.
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Sparky
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Post by Sparky on Jun 26, 2021 7:13:06 GMT
The BFI are marking the 75th anniversary of the Central Office of Information. They have made 75 films available to watch on their website including Lonely Water.
Always loved these PIFs - going to see if the "Painting Polystyrene Tiles is Dangerous" one is on there.
I bet the Saville "Clunk Click" and Rolf Harris Swimming ones won't be though.
Duncan Preston did one about "Saying No to Strangers".
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2021 8:29:41 GMT
I remember these years ago! the two main ones were Charlie says' and the coast guard!! I think they both represent just how much the world, people's attitude and also naivety have changed since the 1970s, a time and a place where I feel people's expectations were not as high as they are now, so a guess as a result this would mean, with certain things, more tolerance and patience, but maybe also in regards these public information films, Tv and the way it came across was just getting going then to. I suppose if those two films were broadcast now for the first time, would they be mocked!! guess we all know the answer to that one lol!! and obviously I'm sure that would be the case even if they were repeated to! But why ? What's changed ? Since then when they were first shown, or were there just as many people back then thinking how funny and silly they were. I really find social history interesting and how things change, but I do feel people are more cynical now, less patient and have become more desensitised!
GC
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Nightfly
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Post by Nightfly on Jun 26, 2021 11:55:16 GMT
I really find social history interesting and how things change, but I do feel people are more cynical now, less patient and have become more desensitised! Great points, @getcarter. I have often thought what would kids today think of the old PIFs. Would they be deemed too graphic, or would they be laughed at ? There have been some recent attempts at longer PIFs aimed at today's presumably desensitised audience, including a 30 minute film called "Cow" which covered the aftermath of an accident caused by texting and driving. BBC Wales and students from the local drama college were behind it and it's one of the most difficult pieces of work to watch. I also came across a recent PIF commissioned by the Army, aimed at road safety for off duty servicemen, the message being that young lads in the services are twice as likely to die on the roads than civilians. The script, production, performance (particularly by actor Shaun Dooley) is spot on. I can imagine the difficult brief the makers were presented with - make a film to get 20 year olds who have probably just returned from a harrowing tour of duty to drive safely which won't make them just laugh at the result. I think they nailed it. Warning - the film contains colourful language.
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