In 1946 the British Government set up the Central Office of Information (COI) to inform, promote and persuade its citizens and the world. It produced over 23,000 films over 66 years in the form of public information films, television programmes for overseas distribution and promotional material. This site is an account of the Film Division and those who worked in it - the story of its work and the films it made.
Use the site to explore the many aspects of Film Division the films and television programmes that it made. The 66 years of film Division are divided into three parts. You can choose where you would like to start or how you would like to move about
There are opportunities to view some of the films listed in the narrative. These films are highlighted in red.
Part 1 1946 to 1959: COI Film Division starts up – anomaly of the Crown Film Unit - financial feast and famine – first shoots of the Overseas Television Service – documentary film production recovers from severe financial cuts – arrival of television and the creation of Television Fillers and Television Commercials
As a way to getting a flavour of the range of moving pictures covered by this account you may like to sample parts of three remarkable compilations made to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of COI in 1996. The compilations are simply extracts of many films presented as three different themes. The extracts move back and forth over the 50 years: they give a flavour of what was made. They each last around 60 minutes.