This film is part of Free
Race Relations Board
New law targets discrimination in housing and employment in this eye-opening public information film.
Overview
Racism is shown the yellow card in this eye-opening public information film about new laws giving protection from discrimination in housing and employment. Targeting both potential victims of racism and its active as well as unconscious perpetrators, the film appeals to the general public by reminding them of Britain's much vaunted tradition of sportsmanship and 'fair play'.
It seems hardly credible that before the 1968 Race Relations Act an employer could post a job advertisement which banned "coloureds" from applying, but this was the case, as was the prevalence of the "ugly business" of casual racism. Although the earlier 1965 Race Relations Act made discrimination on "the grounds of colour, race, or ethnic or national origins" unlawful, there were several key exemptions, notably for landlords and employers. The Race Relations Act 1968, which came into force on 26 November 1968, widened and strengthened these existing laws to encompass housing and employment. As well as the English language version shown here, this film was also released in several Asian language versions including Hindi and Urdu. This government film is a public record, preserved and presented by the BFI National Archive on behalf of The National Archives, home to more than 1,000 years of British history.
Related
Riding on Air Riding on Air
Documentary 1959 16 mins Location: London
A beautiful and evocative survey of cycling's golden years.
The Fatal Floor The Fatal Floor
Public Information Filler 1974 1 mins
Typically hard-hitting public information film about the threat posed by combining a rug and a freshly polished floor.
Handkerchief Drill Handkerchief Drill
Public Information Filler 1949 1 mins
Another of Richard Massingham’s snappy public information fillers finds the oafish everyman’s personal hygiene in question again.
District Nurse District Nurse
Government sponsored film 1952 27 mins Location: Wadhurst
Never a dull moment for a rural district nurse in the early days of the NHS.
Worn Tyres Can Kill Worn Tyres Can Kill
Public Information Filler 1972 1 mins Silent
A couple goes out for a drive, but their car has clearly seen better days - and so have its tyres.
The Smoking Machine The Smoking Machine
Documentary 1964 16 mins
Documentary warning children about the drawbacks of cigarettes – not least their addictiveness.
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.