This film is part of Free

Cave Dwellers 1940

Don't panic, and don't forget your knitting!

Amateur film 1940 6 mins Silent

From the collection of:

Logo for North West Film Archive

Overview

A show of defiance to the Nazi war machine here from amateur filmmaker Jack Want. Shot in Salford, this tongue-in-cheek film follows a group of people down to the air raid shelter when the warning siren goes. A surprisingly cosy world is revealed, with the Brits demonstrating cheery stoicism and, most importantly, brewing tea, until the all clear sounds.

Cave Dwellers was shot in a garden on Ashley Drive, Swinton, a suburb of Salford. Local filmmaker Jack Want had a home cinema in his front room, and as well as making films, also put on cartoon shows for children in the area.