Skip to main content
BFI logo

Home

Film

Television

People

History

Education

Tours

Help

  search

Search

Screenonline banner
British Transport Films
 

Film Unit

Main image of British Transport Films

Founded, for reasons of publicity and information, in 1949 by Edgar Anstey who was Films Officer for the British Transport Commission (1949-55). Anstey sought out the best talent (e.g., Arnold Bax, Michael Redgrave), and BTF produced a series of notable short films which focused on such matters as the workings of British institutions, the beauties of the British countryside, and, perhaps most famously, Waterloo Station in John Schlesinger's award-winning Terminus (1961). Anstey was the regular producer and directors included John Taylor and Alexander Shaw in the company's heyday until the mid '60s. Its entire library is now administered by the BFI.

Bibliography
Reed, John, Moving Images (1990)

Brian McFarlane, Encyclopedia of British Film

More information

FILM & TV CREDITS

From the BFI's filmographic database

Related media

Selected credits

Thumbnail image of Every Valley (1957)Every Valley (1957)

The effect of modern transport on a small Welsh community

Thumbnail image of Scene from Melbury House, The (1973)Scene from Melbury House, The (1973)

Fascinating document of London from a Marylebone rooftop

Thumbnail image of Topical Budget 736-1: Transport Through the Ages (1925)Topical Budget 736-1: Transport Through the Ages (1925)

Newsreel about differing modes of transport

Thumbnail image of Wash and Brush Up (1953)Wash and Brush Up (1953)

Training film for railway maintenance staff

Related collections

Thumbnail image of Documentary Film Units and Film SponsorshipDocumentary Film Units and Film Sponsorship

From the GPO to Shell, key contributors to British documentary

Related people and organisations

Thumbnail image of Jones, Geoffrey (1931-2005)Jones, Geoffrey (1931-2005)

Director, Producer, Editor