This film is part of Free
India Strikes
A celebration of India’s contribution to the British war effort.
Overview
During WWII India became the chief Imperial reserve for an Empire under threat. India Strikes documents India’s role in the War. The tone of the film, however, is one in which the established truths of Empire were now impossible to maintain. Images of backward ‘feudal’ India are contrasted with the modern Indian city and the Indian Army. India’s contribution to the War is no longer to be depicted as a product of Empire loyalism but as step towards Indian self-governance.
The significance of the film, produced by Butcher’s Film Services, is in what it does not depict. The British in India needed to mobilize Indian nationalist opinion in order to finance and recruit for their War effort. That was not forthcoming because of the insincerity of promises of Independence. WWII was the site of mass starvation through man-made famines (chiefly in Bengal), mass-insurgency (Quit India from 1942 and in Talangana from 1945) and military rebellions (the Indian National Army who fought with the Japanese from 1942 and the rebellions in the Royal Indian Navy that were to follow in February 1946). Dr. Gajendra Singh (University of Exeter)
Related
Panorama of Calcutta, India, From the River Ganges. Panorama of Calcutta, India, From the River Ganges.
Non-Fiction 1899 2 mins Silent
One of the earliest films to be shot in India apparently shows the Calcutta ghats - or does it?
Villenour. (French India: Territory of Pondicherry) Villenour. (French India: Territory of Pondicherry)
Travelogue 1914 4 mins Silent
Gorgeously dreamlike colour images of (then) French India – present-day Puducherry
Indian Elephants in the Service of Man Indian Elephants in the Service of Man
Non-Fiction 1938 15 mins Silent
Indian elephants in action as working animals and in hunting, filmed by celebrated hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett
An Eastern Market An Eastern Market
Travelogue 1928 9 mins Silent
Documentary detailing a farmer’s visit to the market in Rawalpindi
Lahore - Refugees from India Lahore - Refugees from India
Amateur film 1947 4 mins Silent
Millions of Muslims flee to Lahore in the newly created state of Pakistan, prompted by the partition of British India
Delhi, Great Capital of India Delhi, Great Capital of India
Travelogue 1909 4 mins Silent
Rare stencil-coloured images of early 20th century Delhi during a Muslim festival
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.