What did it take to capture 20th Century warfare on film - and how were they used in the war effort? Geoff Norcott joins curator James Taylor for a personalised tour of the artworks on display at the Imperial War Museum, London.

 

From reconnaissance missions by air to the cameramen risking their lives on the ground, images from this time have endured in our consciousness and shaped the way we have recorded war since. Expert Toby Haggith explains how the increasing sophistication of filmmakers impacted our view of the world.

 

Objects discussed:

FWW reconnaisance 'AVIATION AS A RECONNOITRING POWER © IWM (IWM 1132)

Eric Ravilious, De-icing Aircraft, 1942

 'AIR RAID DAMAGE, LONDON, INDIAN AMPC © IWM

Fire Over Hamburg, Royal Airforce Bomber Command, 1942-45

Film still: IWM (IWM 1132)

Film still: IWM (AYY 57)

Film still © The rights holder (HOY 26)

 

Narrator:  James Taylor. Producer: Matt Hill at Rethink Audio, with support from Eleanor Head, Daniel BenChorin, and the IWM Institute team at Imperial War Museums