The Bells Go Down
- 1943 film
Comedy drama propaganda film starring Tommy Trinder as a wartime fireman. Also features James Mason, Mervyn Johns, Philippa Hiatt, Finlay Currie, Philip Friend and more.
Key details
- Genre
- Film
- Released
- 1943
- Stars
- Tommy Trinder, James Mason, Mervyn Johns, Philippa Hiatt, Finlay Currie, Philip Friend, Meriel Forbes, Beatrice Varley and more
- Writers
- Stephen Black and Roger MacDougall
- Director
- Basil Dearden
- Producers
- Michael Balcon and S.C. Balcon
- Company
The Bells Go Down is a tribute to the Auxiliary Fire Service, the dedicated band who keep the fires of London under control during the Blitz and fire bombings of the Second World War.
At the outbreak of war, Bob signs up to volunteer for the A.F.S.. The organisation is overseen by professional firemen led by MacFarlane and Ted Robins, who despise Bob and his rag-tag colleagues that include Tommy, a kennelman and Sam, a petty dockside thief. MacFarlane and Ted set out to break the spirits of the A.F.S. boys and give them some proper discipline but can Bob and his cohort fight back?
Blending fictional settings with authentic wartime footage, the film chronicles the trials, triumphs, camaraderie and rivalry of the ordinary heroes of the A.F.S from the eve of the war to the relentless aerial bombardment of the Blitz.
Stream and download
Additional details
- UK certificate
- U
- Duration
- 89 minutes
- Distributors
- Production
- Studio
- Camera set-up
- Single camera
- Picture
- Black and white
Website links
Recording details
- Ealing Studios