705:(1989) When an administrative error causes 13-year-old Gavin to be sent to the wrong school, he begins truanting with a "gang" of younger kids. After his new friend Mark is hospitalised following a swimming race in the ocean, Gavin begins to suspect a nearby power station of leaking its waste into the sea. After organising a protest and gaining media attention, Gavin enlists the aid of a sympathetic teacher to help him break into the power station with a
40:
565:(1983) Returning to the school where he is a chorister, after an unhappy Easter holiday, John Owen faces the daunting task of singing the Beekeeper's solo in an ancient ritual at Whitsuntide. After refusing his duty, he is helped by the Head Chorister and the organist to uncover the 400-year-old mystery behind the beekeeper's service, and to regain his self-esteem by laying a ghost to rest.
629:(1986) Having taught for fifteen years in Inner London schools, Neil and Penny are delighted when a pools win enables them to buy a school in the country to develop as a healthy centre of private education. But its history as a reform school and their unruly children do not endear them to the locals. When funds threaten to run out, the children lend a hand... by kidnapping an old lady.
185:
582:(1984) Lisa and Jamie are residents in a children's home, which is threatened with closure. They escape to the seaside, where they encounter Mr. Skeeter, an elderly eccentric who befriends them. Jamie is convinced that Skeeter is a millionaire in disguise and that all their troubles are over. But in fact they are just beginning.
244:, was organised with the children learning acting skills working upstairs in the area used for administration, tea-making, and toilets, while those studying the technical aspects of film-making worked downstairs in two small rooms filled with old props and a plethora of donated equipment, which included a
145:
was a unique
British film production unit which offered children from the ages of 10 to 16 the opportunity to learn about all aspects of filmmaking, and to participate as part of the crew in the making of professional-quality feature films. The children were directly involved from the initial concept
224:
would be shot during weekends. Although all the films were then edited by director Colin Finbow, the children were given the opportunity to participate in the post-production process, within the limits of the post-production facilities and their own school schedules. Between features, the children's
304:
The CFU frequently employed the services of friends in the film and television industry, both in the creative fields, and also the areas of equipment hire, post-production facilities, and distribution/publicity, who regularly donated their time or equipment. One regular collaborator was composer,
598:(1984) Set in an idyllic valley, the story centres around a group of children surviving after the death of their elders. Three boys set out on a quest to determine who will be the tribe's next leader, and the discoveries of the youngest reveal the alarming truth behind their primitive existence.
212:
The CFU operated outside of normal school hours, when during regular weekend and holiday workshops the children were trained to a high level of competence in all aspects of filmmaking, including camera-work, lighting, sound, acting, writing, and costume. Although some of the CFU's children did
841:(1993) Crabbe College faces closure when parents start withdrawing their children (and fees) due to the recession. A possible solution is found in the shape of truants and young offenders who, it is hoped, will benefit from the rural surrounds and return to society the better for it.
877:
to the posh country house of 13-year-old Zander, where he is forced to endure Zander's snobbery and bullying. His only friends are Zandar's nanny and a young soldier named Blake. When Willie's father unexpectedly turns up in the woods having deserted the army, disaster strikes.
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and Laura
Beaumont, this is the story of Felicity, whose habit of throwing things under her bed, including an uneaten bowl of cereal, moldy apples cores, family heirlooms, and even elderly relatives, leads to the birth of "Heap", a monster with an insatiable appetite.
806:(1992) Edwardian drama about a girl who dreams of becoming a doctor, but is unable to pursue her ambitions due to the social constraints of the era. By supernatural means she encounters a girl from the 1990s who is also unhappy, and the two friends swap places.
435:(with which the CFU often was confused in popular media) and was never shown on TV in the UK, while the last three films in the filmography listed below were only ever shown in the small hours of the morning, as Channel 4 shifted its focus in the later 1990s.
675:(1988) An accidental meeting between bored schoolgirl, Kelly, and suicidal schoolboy, Max, leads to the two children stealing a Ferrari and running away together in it. They briefly enjoy a love-hate relationship before the real world catches up with them.
1067:
943:
The CFU continued to operate for the first decade of the new millennium, but lack of funding prevented them from making any further feature films. On 9 August 2011 the
Children's Film Unit was removed from the register of UK charities.
733:(1990) A group of teenage boys are tricked into accompanying their teacher on a survival holiday to a deserted island, but after he suffers a nervous breakdown and turns hostile, the boys are forced to fend for themselves.
292:
etc.) was usually hired-in as needed, along with much other additional hardware. But despite the cramped conditions, the children of the CFU still found space to build interior sets when required. The CFU later moved to
976:
613:(1985) Unhappy schoolboy, Nick Foster, is sent to a psychiatrist after developing sores and hearing strange voices. She is at hand when a series of terrifying supernatural events threaten to destroy him.
1329:
1334:
1314:
870:
755:
200:
in South East London. The standard of the work Finbow and his students produced so excited professional film makers due to its quality and freshness that, after one of their films,
1344:
1324:
1339:
149:
CFU films had a theatrical release, as well as being shown on
British and overseas television, and were exhibited (and sometimes winners) at international film festivals.
1319:
1349:
313:
created the on-set effects for many of the films, and were among the industry professionals who gave lectures and demonstrations during weekend workshops.
216:
Generally the CFU produced one feature-length film per year, with the bulk of the production schedule occurring during the summer holidays. After
334:
and featured several members of the CFU in interviews and voice-over. The documentary concluded with scenes of the Royal
Premiere at
739:, Susan Curnow, Michael Bond, Damian Hodges, David Issacs, Danny Joy, Russell Lyesight, Hayden Peters, Carlton Taylor, Ben Wheeler
213:
perform in their films, they only played the roles of children. All adult characters were performed by professional adult actors.
720:
294:
225:
training consisted of making short films, and attending regular lectures and demonstrations from industry experts, such as
953:
432:
173:
762:
and relocated to the countryside, where he begins a series of schemes to try and accrue sufficient funds to return home.
1202:
1115:
1023:
427:
financed and televised most of the CFU's output, and
Watchmaker Films handled worldwide distribution. However,
309:, who composed the original music for most of the CFU's films. Ray and Tom Harris from special effects company
245:
193:
326:
204:
received critical acclaim, it was suggested that more children should benefit from this unique experience.
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based on the 1840 press account of a real case. Captain
Stirrick leads a gang of child
385:
934:
Cast includes: Daniel Cogan, David
Comerford, Tom Golding, Shanie Hanley, Rachel Malin
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899:(1995) A break in the country has sinister repercussions for the Brady Family.
354:
Several films by the
Children's Film Unit received Royal Premieres, including:
918:
Cast includes: Danielle Hawley, Danny
Barnham, Ian Johnstone, Gordon Griffin,
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916:(1996) Two children are left alone in the house of their dead grandfather.
196:
writer, Colin Finbow. It had begun life as the film studies department at
568:
548:
London, but their attempt to rob a Lord ends in murder and a trip to the
240:
The CFU's tiny premises at Studio 4, Berrytime Studios, Queenstown Road,
152:
The CFU was a registered educational charity. Official patrons included
793:
549:
188:
Colin Finbow on location for "Doombeach" (1989) Photograph by Kit Ellis
192:
The Children's Film Unit was formed in 1981 by schoolteacher and ex-
409:
371:
261:
257:
183:
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documentary crew for an episode of the popular children's series
343:
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Television production companies of the United Kingdom
525:– First prize at the Youth Film Festival of Flanders
971:
969:
338:, and merged its own credits with the credits from
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102:
88:
80:
72:
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56:
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146:of a film right through to the completed product.
1335:Educational charities based in the United Kingdom
1233:
1231:
1229:
1290:"Bergman's Celebration of Life's Joy and Terror"
1315:Film production companies of the United Kingdom
677:Cast includes: Francesca Camillo, Max Rennie,
649:Cast includes: Nicola Stewart, Thomas Arnold,
754:drama follows young Howard Grainger as he is
631:Cast includes: Jenni Barrand, Jeremy Coster,
419:Almost all of their films have been shown on
8:
1345:2011 disestablishments in the United Kingdom
32:
1325:Mass media companies disestablished in 2011
1241:"Saturday morning pictures – Young at Art"
1209:. London. 17 November 1984. Archived from
256:cameras, one Arriflex 16BL camera, a 16mm
38:
31:
1340:1981 establishments in the United Kingdom
1021:http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/472044
433:Children's Film and Television Foundation
1320:Mass media companies established in 1981
320:(1991), the CFU crew were followed by a
1122:. London. 14 March 1992. Archived from
965:
518:Frankfurt, Belfast, Brighton, Edinburgh
431:was produced in collaboration with the
1237:Article about the CFU in its decline.
466:Frankfurt, Chicago, Dulu, and Duisburg
342:. This episode was first broadcast on
330:. This episode covered the filming of
172:CBE, QC. The President of the CFU was
7:
991:including some history of the CFU.
509:Frankfurt, Sydney, Chicago, London
474:– Awarded Prix Danube, Bratislava
25:
1239:Finch, Hilary (7 December 1995).
554:Cast includes: Julian Silvester,
468:– Awarded Lucas Prize, Frankfurt
1350:British children's entertainment
884:, Philip Boddy, Gordon Griffin,
746:(1991) Adapted from the book by
364:, on Saturday 17 September 1988
111:Colin Finbow (Artistic director)
993:Robinson, David (4 June 1982).
642:(1988) Adapted from a story by
295:Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden
114:Brianne Perkins (Film producer)
27:British film production project
1288:Brown, Geoff (22 April 1983).
711:Cast includes: Jeremy Coster,
615:Cast includes: Arnaud Morell,
402:, WC2, on Thursday 4 May 1995
1:
1263:Brown, Geoff (18 June 1982).
1200:in the London Film Festival.
880:Cast includes: Lee Turnbull,
869:(1994) 10-year-old Willie is
832:, Lally Percy, Gordon Griffin
567:Cast includes: Oliver Hicks,
1074:. London. 17 September 1988.
1040:The Lowdown: The Big Picture
977:Entry for charity no. 283918
975:Charity Commission Website,
764:Cast includes: Ben Brazier,
378:, on Sunday 4 November 1990
1116:"Weekend Royal Engagements"
1092:"Weekend Royal Engagements"
808:Cast includes: Anna Jones,
685:, Jenni Barrand, Luke Jones
392:, on Sunday 15 March 1992.
350:Exhibition and Distribution
1366:
1098:. London. 3 November 1990.
1068:"Today's Royal Engagement"
954:Children's Film Foundation
264:III, and assorted lights,
1026:28 September 2012 at the
416:, on Monday 3 March 1997
202:"The Custard Boys" (1979)
37:
346:at 17:10 on 5 May 1992.
33:The Children's Film Unit
1203:"Listing of Dark Enemy"
1182:. London. 3 March 1997.
362:Odeon Leicester Square
189:
1171:The Gingerbread House
1158:. London. 4 May 1995.
1050:. London. 5 May 1992.
914:The Gingerbread House
406:The Gingerbread House
400:Prince Charles Cinema
316:During production of
218:principal photography
187:
1298:Page 15, issue 61513
1249:Page 38, issue 65444
1223:Page 20, issue 61989
1184:Page 22, issue 65827
1160:Page 22, issue 65258
1136:Page 14, issue 64280
1100:Page 14, issue 63854
1076:Page 12, issue 63189
1052:Page 10, issue 64324
1003:Page 11, issue 61251
529:Selected filmography
482:London & Chicago
439:Festivals and awards
143:Children's Film Unit
1273:Page 1, issue 61263
1152:"Royal Engagements"
758:from London during
690:Infantile Disorders
588:, Louise Rawlings,
457:London & Munich
208:The 1980s and 1990s
34:
847:, Gordon Griffin,
838:The Higher Mortals
627:School For Vandals
478:School For Vandals
198:Forest Hill School
190:
1260:Captain Stirrick.
909:, Jarrah Venables
681:, Amanda Murray,
651:Tim Brooke-Taylor
635:, Sebastian Knapp
231:Lord Attenborough
154:Lord Attenborough
139:
138:
18:Willie's War
16:(Redirected from
1357:
1299:
1297:
1280:
1274:
1272:
1256:
1250:
1248:
1235:
1224:
1222:
1220:
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1213:on 23 March 2015
1191:
1185:
1183:
1176:"Court Circular"
1167:
1161:
1159:
1143:
1137:
1135:
1133:
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1126:on 23 March 2015
1107:
1101:
1099:
1083:
1077:
1075:
1059:
1053:
1051:
1036:
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1018:The Big Picture.
1010:
1004:
1002:
989:Captain Stirrick
985:
979:
973:
816:, Toby Gregory,
679:John Louis Mansi
573:Frank Middlemass
534:Captain Stirrick
390:Leicester Square
336:Leicester Square
158:Steven Spielberg
60:Film, television
42:
35:
21:
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1173:Royal Premiere
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1113:Royal Premiere
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1089:Royal Premiere
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1065:Royal Premiere
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1042:
1038:TV listing for
1037:
1033:
1028:Wayback Machine
1011:
1007:
992:
986:
982:
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967:
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941:
922:, Wendy Jones,
901:Cast includes:
886:Edward Highmore
855:, Tat Whalley,
843:Cast includes:
778:Richard Digance
770:Paul Brightwell
735:Cast includes:
694:Cast includes:
604:, Douglas Storm
600:Cast includes:
584:Cast includes:
575:, Douglas Storm
558:, Douglas Storm
531:
441:
352:
220:was completed,
210:
182:
134:Film production
125:Motion pictures
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51:Limited Company
28:
23:
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1284:A Swarm in May
1275:
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1225:
1186:
1162:
1138:
1111:How's Business
1102:
1078:
1054:
1031:
1012:BFI entry for
1005:
980:
964:
963:
961:
958:
957:
956:
949:
946:
940:
937:
882:Jean Alexander
810:Rosalind Ayres
798:Carol MacReady
744:How's Business
721:Peter Marshall
717:Michael Sheard
713:Glenda Jackson
707:Geiger counter
580:Mister Skeeter
563:A Swarm in May
530:
527:
487:A Swarm in May
472:Mister Skeeter
440:
437:
429:How's Business
386:Odeon West End
382:How's Business
351:
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340:How's Business
332:How's Business
318:How's Business
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1063:Under The Bed
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903:Emily Richard
898:
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892:, Tat Whalley
891:
890:Jemima Rooper
887:
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876:
872:
868:
864:
863:
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858:
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850:
849:Susannah York
846:
845:Jemima Rooper
840:
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833:
831:
830:Peter Bayliss
827:
823:
819:
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814:Martin Jarvis
811:
805:
804:Emily's Ghost
801:
800:
799:
795:
791:
790:Emily Richard
787:
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782:Don Henderson
779:
776:, Sara Clee,
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748:Alison Prince
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667:Maria Charles
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659:Graeme Garden
656:
652:
645:
641:
640:Under The Bed
637:
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633:Peter Bayliss
628:
624:
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617:Susannah York
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590:Orlando Wells
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586:Peter Bayliss
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556:Freddie Jones
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514:Emily's Ghost
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496:Under The Bed
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358:Under The Bed
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299:Hertfordshire
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254:Arriflex 16SR
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179:
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174:Prince Edward
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170:John Mortimer
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162:Susannah York
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1244:
1215:. Retrieved
1211:the original
1206:
1197:
1193:
1189:
1179:
1170:
1165:
1155:
1147:Willie's War
1146:
1141:
1128:. Retrieved
1124:the original
1119:
1110:
1105:
1095:
1086:
1081:
1071:
1062:
1057:
1047:
1039:
1034:
1017:
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983:
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939:21st century
933:
929:
928:
920:Brian Sibley
917:
913:
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896:
895:
879:
867:Willie's War
866:
865:
861:Paula Wilcox
842:
836:
835:
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696:Mark Heatley
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621:Bert Parnaby
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523:Willie's War
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367:
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331:
325:
317:
315:
310:
303:
239:
237:and others.
235:Lord Puttnam
227:Bryan Forbes
215:
211:
201:
191:
166:Lord Puttnam
151:
148:
142:
140:
89:Headquarters
76:Colin Finbow
47:Company type
29:
1217:26 November
1196:listing of
1130:24 November
1014:The Lowdown
924:Patsy Byrne
875:East London
857:John Altman
853:Patsy Byrne
826:Patsy Byrne
818:Anna Massey
786:Brett Fancy
774:Paul Copley
698:, Gavin May
663:Peter Corey
542:pickpockets
327:The Lowdown
311:Any Effects
307:Dave Hewson
284:equipment (
274:microphones
1309:Categories
1282:Review of
1258:Review of
1198:Dark Enemy
1169:Notice of
1145:Notice of
1109:Notice of
1085:Notice of
1061:Notice of
987:Review of
960:References
907:Simon Ward
897:Nightshade
725:Emma Freud
655:Bill Oddie
644:Bill Oddie
602:David Haig
596:Dark Enemy
453:Dark Enemy
414:Piccadilly
376:Piccadilly
260:camera, a
168:, and Sir
104:Key people
1296:. London.
1294:The Times
1271:. London.
1269:The Times
1247:. London.
1245:The Times
1207:The Times
1180:The Times
1156:The Times
1120:The Times
1096:The Times
1087:Doombeach
1072:The Times
1048:The Times
1001:. London.
999:The Times
871:evacuated
822:Ron Moody
766:Ron Moody
760:the Blitz
756:evacuated
731:Survivors
703:Doombeach
673:Hard Road
546:Victorian
536:(1982) A
505:Doombeach
462:Hard Road
425:Channel 4
421:Channel 4
368:Doombeach
250:Steenbeck
242:Battersea
1024:Archived
1016:episode
995:"Cinema"
948:See also
737:Ian Hogg
569:Jack May
222:pick-ups
194:Avengers
130:Services
122:Products
57:Industry
1265:"Films"
932:(1997)
930:Awayday
794:Ann Way
752:wartime
750:, this
692:(1988)
550:gallows
538:musical
500:Chicago
398:at The
384:at the
360:at the
246:Moviola
180:Origins
97:England
81:Defunct
73:Founder
65:Founded
1194:Events
1044:"BBC1"
610:Daemon
491:Moscow
448:Munich
444:Daemon
290:cranes
286:dollys
276:, and
270:lenses
252:, two
93:London
873:from
410:BAFTA
372:BAFTA
297:, in
278:booms
262:Nagra
258:Bolex
1219:2012
1132:2012
344:BBC1
282:Grip
266:legs
248:, a
141:The
84:2011
68:1981
544:in
408:at
370:at
322:BBC
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288:,
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272:,
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164:,
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