This film is part of Free
Potato Queues
The humble spud is the star attraction for the long lines of people waiting to fortify their wartime Sunday lunches
Overview
Roasted, baked, boiled, fried, chipped, mashed… any threat to the availability of potatoes would surely throw the nation into a panic? Though never rationed, spud shortages were not uncommon in WWI, and scenes such as these - seemingly genial - queues made good newsreel fodder. The situation was certainly better than in Germany at this time, which was in the grips of its 'Turnip Winter' due to a poor potato harvest.
Related
No Mischief Here Can Satan Find for Idle Hands to Do No Mischief Here Can Satan Find for Idle Hands to Do
1917 1 mins Silent
Pathe's series on WWI turns its eye homeward in this edition about the interning of enemy aliens
The Production of a Map The Production of a Map
Non-Fiction 1917 7 mins Silent
Worlds within worlds: a maps and globes factory, expertly charted on celluloid
Metropolitan Police Ambulance Team Metropolitan Police Ambulance Team
1917 18 mins Silent
Metropolitan Police officers demonstrate their paramedic skills in this early training film
History of the War: The Birth Place of the Great War History of the War: The Birth Place of the Great War
1917 7 mins Silent
Episode of Pathé's series on WWI, focused on the outbreak of hostilities between Austria and Serbia
Mighty Atoms Mighty Atoms
1917 8 mins Silent
While mothers make guns, children have fun: take a peek inside the Woolwich Nursery for the Children of Munition Workers
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.