This film is part of Free
Findus: Battered Cod Steaks
A 1970s ad proposing Findus Battered Cod Steaks as the centrepiece of a healthy family meal.
Overview
“Juicy white cod, frozen fresh from the sea” promises the voiceover, reflecting Clarence Birdseye’s original 1920s discovery that if white fish is frozen as soon as possible after being caught, it will retain its taste and texture for months. This commercial subtly extols the virtues of Findus Battered Cod Steaks as an all-round family meal: while the phrase “you’re giving them” suggests catering for children, the close-up of a bottle of Turpin white wine being poured tells a different story.
Once considered an extravagant luxury, the British freezer became a genuine mass market item in the 1970s, leading to a marked increase in the range and type of frozen foods on offer and even the establishment of dedicated frozen food supermarkets such as Bejam (now Iceland). Swedish brand Findus had been distributed in the UK market for two decades already, and their Battered Cod Steaks were essentially a larger variation on the now long-established fish finger, only surrounded by batter instead of breadcrumbs. This last point is emphasised by an audible crunch as the knife slices across it.
Related
RHM Nimble: Tennis Woman RHM Nimble: Tennis Woman
Advert 1964 0 mins
An advertisement for Rank Hovis McDougall’s Nimble bread featuring a female tennis player.
Branston Pickle: Advertising Agency Branston Pickle: Advertising Agency
Advert 1957 0 mins
15 seconds isn't long, you've got to say Crosse and you've got to say Blackwell, and you've got to say Branston Pickle!
Lyons Maid Lolly Gobble Choc Bomb Lyons Maid Lolly Gobble Choc Bomb
Advert 1974 0 mins
Animated advert for the much loved strawberry ice lolly, with chocolate and sugar balls and a chocolate bar inside!
Heinz Baked Beans : Common Market Heinz Baked Beans : Common Market
Advert 1972 1 mins
In 1972 Britain entered the European common market full of beans. What could go wrong?
Shippam's Real Chicken Shippam's Real Chicken
Advert 1955 0 mins Silent
This short advert tells you that only real chickens can apply to be Shippam's chickens
Cadbury's Chocolate The Factory in a Garden Cadbury's Chocolate The Factory in a Garden
Advert 1931 3 mins Silent
A mouth-watering glimpse of the art and craft that went into making and decorating Cadbury’s chocolates in the 1930s.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.