This film is part of Free

Thief in the Night (Persil Advert)
More soap opera than true crime, but this cinema advert is almost as cunning as its onscreen detective.
Overview
The mystery of the bogus brother burglar - a case for Sherlock Foams? Like many of the best cinema ads from this period, the puzzle for audiences was how the carefully crafted story was going to twist into a sales message. The reveal here is distinctly clever, as the clue that cracks the case highlights the USP of the product. Elementary, my dear Persil.
Related

The Warning (Gibbs S.R. Toothpaste) The Warning (Gibbs S.R. Toothpaste)
Advert 1941 5 mins
An amazingly complex cinema ad, disguised as a trailer for a film that never existed

Symphony in Colour (Persil Advert) Symphony in Colour (Persil Advert)
Advert 1942 5 mins
Super soft-sell Persil ad, in the guise of a lush Technicolor essay on colour itself.

Music Hath Charms Music Hath Charms
Advert 1935 4 mins
Pratfalls galore in rib-tickling commercial for Bush radios.

Every Man His Own Housewife (Persil Advert) Every Man His Own Housewife (Persil Advert)
Advert 1940 3 mins Silent
This propaganda advert encourages housewives to use Persil, the powder that gives “longer life to your linens”.

Let's Ask the Ladies Let's Ask the Ladies
Musical 1937 23 mins
A Co-op window dresser dreams of his mannequins coming to life in this musical fashion fantasy.

Murder in the Air Murder in the Air
Advert 1935 4 mins Silent
“There is nothing you can beat about the Bush”: the wireless wows in this stylish ad for Bush Radio.

If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.

We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.

Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.

Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.

Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.

NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.