This film is part of Free

Breathing Space

Whilst some cultural treasures were stowed away in wartime, there was still an array of objects, artworks and experiences on offer to the public.

Documentary 1943 10 mins

From the collection of:

Logo for Imperial War Museums

Overview

‘Breathing Space’ explores some of the culture activities available to both civilians and service personnel on the home front in the 1940s. During a period often associated with popular culture such as dancehalls and cinemas, notable achievements in art, literature and music were also made. This is perhaps all the more remarkable given the tough circumstances of war.