The Way We Live

FILM SCREENING OF THE WAY WE LIVE IN PLYMOUTH’S COUNCIL CHAMBER

A fictionalised account of the plan for rebuilding of Plymouth after the terrible devastation of the Blitz seen through the eyes of one family is to be screened in Plymouth’s City Council Chamber on 13 April.

Acclaimed director, Jill Craigie made the film, The Way We Live, in 1946 to enable locals, particularly women, to be able to contribute their ideas about housing to the Watson-Abercrombie masterplan.  On visiting Plymouth, Craigie was concerned that many local people were confused by the proposed scheme for rebuilding the town and made the film in order to clarify this.

However, J Arthur Rank decided not to continue funding the film part way through as they deemed it not commercial enough.  Craigie, with the support of the City Council, managed to prevail upon Rank to continue with the project.

Three thousand local people took part in the film, including the lead protagonists, City Engineer, Paton Watson and Town Planner, Patrick Abercrombie playing themselves.

The plan, which reflects the optimism of post-war Britain hoped to bring social improvement and modern amenities and is a remarkable record of how our city has been shaped and continues to evolve.

Reactions to the film were initially mixed, but after one critic began championing the film it broke all box office records.

Anna Navas, Film Programmer for Plymouth Arts Centre which is behind the screening of the film in the Council Chamber says

“The film feels hugely important to me for many reasons but mostly because it completely changed the way I see this city. It made real the devastation Plymouth suffered during the war, but rather than concentrate on that it shows the incredible spirit of the people who lived here and their determination to rebuild a better, brighter place to live. It helps you to see how truly visionary the Abercrombie Watson plan was and how it was based on ideas of equality and an optimism for the future. The fact that it was made by one of the very few women filmmakers, Jill Craigie, is the icing on the cake”.

The film is part of the Plymouth Blitz 75 commemorations.

Tickets are available from Plymouth Arts Centre on 01752 206114, or online at www.plymouthartscentre.org.  Tickets cost £8.50, £7.50 concessions.  Films starts at 7pm, doors open 6.30pm.