Night Mail



This media item will not play in the internet software you are currently using.

Produced by John Grierson during his time as head of the General Post Office Film Unit, the film Night Mail is a classic of the British documentary tradition, combining social comment and idealism with experimental film and audio techniques. Following the path of the express train carrying the mail overnight from London to Edinburgh, Night Mail featured music by Benjamin Britten and text—by W.H. Auden—designed to be chanted in time with the music to suggest the rhythm of the train.

Archive Films

Appears in these articles

Documentaries; Grierson, John; Britten, (Edward) Benjamin, Baron Britten of Aldeburgh; Auden, W(ystan) H(ugh)

*	Exclusively for MSN Encarta Premium Subscribers Join Now