Shadows of Progress – Documentary Film in Post-War Britain 1951–1977 is a landmark collection, bringing together for the first time over 14 hours of film material preserved in the BFI National Archive, telling the previously untold story of British documentary filmmaking through the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Released as part of the BFI's Boom Britain campaign, this 4-disc set features 32 films, and is accompanied by a 100-page book, in a deluxe presentation box. Shadows of Progress is the companion to the BFI's acclaimed DVD Land of Promise: The British Documentary Movement 1930–1950, which will be reissued on 15 November.

As Britain emerged from the Second World War, new social, political and ideological challenges brought about inevitable and far-reaching change. With change came a need to look at, and engage with, the country's people and places, values and industries in fresh and exciting ways.

Out of the shadows cast by such celebrated documentarians as Humphrey Jennings and Paul Rotha (whose work is explored in Land of Promise), emerged the likes of John Krish, Eric Marquis and Derrick Knight, each of whom employed bold and distinctive new techniques in order to tackle an increasingly diverse array of subjects.

Until now, the films and filmmakers in this collection have been unjustly overlooked and under-appreciated. And yet the films presented here – commissioned by private industry, commercial sponsors, Government departments and independent charities – are every bit as inspired, ground-breaking and indispensable as anything produced by the Free Cinema or British Documentary Movements.

Shadows of Progress – Documentary Film in Post-War Britain 1951–1977 will be released as a 4-disc DVD set by the BFI on 15th November 2010 at the RRP of £34.99. The following films will be included:

Disc 1 – The Island

• David (Paul Dickson, 1951)
• To Be a Woman (Jill Craigie, 1951)
• The Island (Peter Pickering, 1952)
• The Elephant Will Never Forget (John Krish, 1953)
• Sunday by the Sea (Anthony Simmons, 1953)
• Henry (Lindsay Anderson, 1955)
• Foot and Mouth (Lindsay Anderson, 1955)
• Birthright (Sarah Erulkar, 1958)
• They Took Us to the Sea (John Krish, 1961)
• Faces of Harlow (Derrick Knight, 1964)

Disc 2 – Return to Life

• Thursday's Children (Lindsay Anderson & Guy Brenton, 1954)
• There Was a Door (Derek Williams, 1957)
• People Apart (Guy Brenton, 1957)
• Return to Life (John Krish, 1960)
• Four People (Guy Brenton, 1962)
• A Time to Heal (Derrick Knight, 1963)
• Time Out of Mind (Eric Marquis, 1968)

Disc 3 – The Shadow of Progress

• Three Installations (Lindsay Anderson, 1952)
• The Film That Never Was (Paul Dickson, 1957)
• Stone Into Steel (Paul Dickson, 1960)
• From First To Last (Anthony Simmons, 1962)
• People, Productivity and Change (Peter Bradford, 1963)
• Shellarama (Richard Cawston, 1965)
• Picture to Post (Sarah Erulkar, 1969)
• The Shadow of Progress (Derek Williams, 1970)

Disc 4 – Today in Britain

• Today in Britain (Peter Hopkinson, 1964)
• I Think They Call Him John (John Krish, 1964)
• Portrait of Queenie (Michael Orrom, 1964)
• Education for the Future (Derrick Knight, 1967)
• Tomorrow's Merseysiders (Eric Marquis, 1974)
• Time of Terror (Eric Marquis, 1975)
• The Shetland Experience (Derek Williams 1977)

Also included witll be Perspectives on documentary filmmaking (2010) containing new filmed interviews with some of the directors, and a 100-page illustrated book containing new introductory essays, notes and recollections. Contributors include Lord David Puttnam and historian Dominic Sandbrook.