Look at Life (film series)

Look at Life was a regular British series of short documentary films of which over 500 were produced between 1959 and 1969 by the Special Features Division of the Rank Organisation for screening in their Odeon and Gaumont cinemas. The films always preceded the main feature film that was being shown in the cinema that week. It replaced the circuit's newsreel, Universal News, which had become increasingly irrelevant in the face of more immediate news media, particularly on television with the launch of ITN on the Independent Television service, which began broadcasting in parts of the United Kingdom in 1955.[1]

Look at Life
Narrated by	Tim Turner and others
Production company	Rank Organisation
Release date	1959–1969
Running time	8 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Presentation

Produced on 35mm film and in Eastmancolor, these ten-minute 'featurettes' melded a light-hearted magazine format with a more in depth documentary approach and depicted aspects of life, mainly in Britain, but sometimes further afield. The films often depicted elements of the 'push button' or 'jet age', demonstrating advances in technology and a reflection on the changing tastes, fashions and trends representative of the so-called 'swinging sixties' era, which were often portrayed in a glossy, vibrant and optimistic way. The films also reported on topical issues that were affecting modern day society such as road safety, civil defence and pollution, and often sought to explain the rapid changes that were taking place in the country in an entertaining and informative narrative. Look at Life also took its cameras abroad to focus on events and affairs within the Commonwealth and British colonies including Aden, Gibraltar and the ever diminishing British controlled areas of Africa. Look at Life cameras were also offered exclusive access behind the Iron Curtain to present life in the Eastern Bloc, particularly in East Berlin and the Soviet Union.

The films were generally narrated in the style typical of newsreel films with a principal voice-over while letting the images tell the story. The narration was generally spoken over the natural sounds of the subject being discussed such as motor traffic or the activities within a workplace and with musical accompaniment. People who were featured in the programmes were seldom heard to speak unless as background sound, their activities and interactions with others generally being commented upon by the narrator. Otherwise the subject of the film or clip would address the camera directly or perform in a given situation, both in a staged and a scripted manner whereby the narrator could often add a humorous or ironic comment in the context of the subject. On occasions an expert or professional in the field of the subject could be seen to present the film directly to camera and provide voiceovers. However, in the most part, the narration of the films was provided by well known celebrities and presenters of the time including Raymond Baxter, Eamonn Andrews, Wynford Vaughan-Thomas, and Sid James, but the majority of the films were narrated by actor Tim Turner. At the end of each film the caption "Take a Look at Life Again Soon" would appear on screen.

Reception

When the first issue of Look at Life, "Marrakesh" was released in March 1959, it was hailed in the trade journals as an "exciting venture in film journalism" and Rank announced this innovation would have "a more lasting impact than the present ephemeral newsreel content". Look at Life was a popular formula but did become rather frozen in time with its light-hearted presentation and jaunty theme tune and despite subtle changes to the opening titles, their graphics and the introduction of the Rank 'gong' logo at the beginning of later films. Television led audiences into a documentary world that had more grit and less glamour than the relative escapism of the cinema and by 1969 Rank could no longer ensure the survival of the series and the concept waned just as other newsreels and magazine films also available at that time, such as the Pathé Pictorial which was shown on the rival ABC cinema circuit, and as cinema audience continued to decline rapidly on the verge of the 1970s.[2]

Legacy

Over 500 episodes were produced altogether. Digitally restored from the original film elements, the Look at Life series is now licensed by ITV Studios Global Entertainment, previously known on screen as Granada Ventures and distributed by the Network imprint. Many of the films have not been seen in full since their original screenings in the cinemas, although a number of films have been previously released on Super 8 and on DVD in themed categories. These include Look at Life – Swingin' London, which explores elements of contemporary London life, work and traditions and Look at Life – On the Railways, which represented the great changes that were taking place to Britain's railways in the wake of the modernisation programme and the decline of steam. However Network has gradually released box-sets of the films in volumes.

Volume 1 – "Transport" is a four disc compilation released in 2010 and contains 54 films on the theme of transport. Look at Life Volume 2 – "Military" was released in June 2011, while Volume 3 – "Science" was released in September 2011.

Two further volumes, Volume 4 – "Sport" and Volume 5 – "Cultural Heritage", were for release in August and November 2012 respectively. Volume 6 – "World Affairs" was released on 1 February 2013. On 10 August 2015, a seventh volume "Business and Industry" was released.

In November 2012, the series Britain on Film commissioned by BBC Scotland for broadcast on BBC Four began a twenty-part series providing an insight into life in Britain in the 1960s exclusively featuring footage from the Look at Life series. Distributed by ITN Source, a partly owned subsidiary of ITV Plc, each episode features a different aspect of British life and culture during the decade, including the changing role of women and how leisure time was spent including the rising popularity of overseas travel. It is presented with original commentary from the series with captions to provide the contemporary viewer with explanation.[3]

Currently Available on DVD

Volume 1: Transport

Disc One (1959–1960)

Date of Feature	Title	Narrator	Synopsis
April 1959	Ticket to Tokyo	E.V.H. Emmett	Travelling with a Britannia Airline from London via Bombay to Tokyo to discover Japan and back via Hong Kong.
May 1959	Letting off Steam	Tim Turner	Celebrating British Railways' change of technology with the phasing-out of coal-powered steam and their replacement with oil-powered and electrified trains and signalling to bring in the modern age of travel.
May 1959	New Roads for Old	Tim Turner	The traffic crisis and a look at tomorrow's roads in the making including the London to Yorkshire motorway, Preston By-pass, Runcorn Bridge and works around London, including the gyratory system at Marble Arch, underpass at Hyde Park Corner, road widening at Elephant and Castle and the new Chiswick Flyover.
August 1959	Flight on a Cushion	Peter Lamb, Christopher Cockerell, Tim Turner	The Chief Test Pilot of East Cowes-based Saunders Roe tells the story of a hovercraft from the moment it was invented, with the inventor Christopher Cockerell and the recording of the first cross Channel crossing on 25 July 1959.
August 1959	Talking of Coaches	Tim Turner	Life from the back of a coach with a tour of Blackpool and Italy with young Eric.
October 1959	Alpine Rescue	Tim Turner	A glimpse of the hazards faced by Swiss glacier pilots.
October 1959	Shopping for a 'Queen'	Tim Turner	Just what it takes to replenish the Queen Elizabeth, the 83,000-ton liner before her next voyage. Food shopping and catering on a mammoth scale!
November 1959	Sailing the Sky	Tim Turner	The grace and freedom of gliding and an interview with Britain's leading woman glider pilot, Ann Welch. Don't forget your sandwiches!
December 1959	Driving Test	Tim Turner	Driving school tuition, including the innovative mock-up car with moving lights, cars for disabled people, the junior driver course at Grammar schools and the training of police drivers and London Bus drivers. Watch out for green Ford Cortinas!
January 1960	Shape of a Ship	Tim Turner	Taking a look at the big new liners being built including the Canberra and how their shape is changing plus a review of the slump affecting cargo shipping and the exciting future of air freight.
February 1960	Air Hostess	Tim Turner	Following the perceived glamorous life of 24-year-old airline hostess Pat Rossiter on her working day on an 11-hour flight to Rome and Benghazi
March 1960	Taxi! Taxi!!	Tim Turner	Looking at the organisation behind London's taxis, their maintenance, regulation of meters, training for "The Knowledge" to picking up passengers and driver welfare.
April 1960	All Through the Night	Tim Turner	Out on the trunk roads with the "artic" night lorries. It's a tough life for these "trunkers"

Disc Two (1960–1963)

Date of Feature	Title	Narrator	Synopsis
April 1960	Over and Under	Tim Turner	Painting the Forth Bridge and a look at modern bridge-building including temporary bridges, taking place all over Britain today; but why are they so unattractive? There is competition on cost but why not design? Reflecting on past bridge successes and future methods of construction.
July 1960	Horse-power Riders	Tim Turner	Experts prove that safety on a motorcycle stems from control of the machines. The Royal Corp Signals demonstrate this. Following The AA and RAC in their training programmes supported by RoSPA, and over to the Isle of Man TT to see this year's winner John Surtees.
March 1962	Eyes of the Law	Raymond Baxter	A look at traffic controls in West Germany and their autobahns and how Britain can learn as they build miles of new motorway including the new Hammersmith Flyover.
April 1962	Scooter Commuter	Tim Turner	Amidst the jams, In ten years, the number of scooters on British Roads has increased from 4,250 to over 470,000, and the convenience of "Corgi" style bikes. Remember your headscarf when you learn how to ride one!
May 1962	Sea Horses	Tim Turner	Featuring tugboats, without which any big port would come to a standstill.
September 1962	So They all Hover Now	Tim Turner	Today all kinds of things are using hover power. For passenger services, Trucks, barrows and even stretchers and how the declining ship yards of Clydeside are adapting to this new technology. Featuring the SR.N2.
September 1962	The Village Sleeps Again	Tim Turner	The arguments for and against building by-passes, featuring Transport Minister Ernest Marples, how these can be built through many urban areas, how objections to new routes can be overcome and what effect they are having on previously swamped towns and villages.
January 1963	Birdmen	Tim Turner	Discovering the origins and evolution of man-powered flight focusing on the John Wimpenny is the first man to pedal himself through the air for more than half a mile on the Puffin, designed and built by instructors and students of the de Havilland Aeronautical Technical School.
April 1963	Draw the Fires	Tim Turner	The railways are changing, with coal-powered steam being phased out and replaced by diesel engines by 1972. Crowds pay their respects to the Flying Scotsman's last departure from Kings Cross as it is replaced by a 33-horsepower diesel. The network is being modernised by new signalling, longer continuous track on concrete sleepers and flyovers, and controversial closures of lines.
June 1963	The Car Has Wings	Tim Turner	Natural boundaries no longer limit the range of motoring as cars are carried through tunnels, on ferries, over the new Forth Road Bridge, by train, air ferry and possibly by hovercraft in the future.
June 1963	Vintage Models	Raymond Baxter	Meeting the veteran car enthusiast and looking at the restoration of vintage vehicles with a visit to National Motor Museum, Beaulieu Montagu Motor Museum at Beaulieu in the New Forest, the high-speed trials at Silverstone and the famous London to Brighton run
July 1963	Pilot Aboard		The story of Britain's pilotage services.
August 1963	Where No Tide Flows		A look at canals today and how they have been rediscovered by holidaymakers.

Disc Three (1963–1965)

Date of Feature	Title	Narrator	Synopsis
November 1963	High, Wide and Faster		Closer co-ordination between our roads, railways and coastal shipping.
December 1963	Oil Aboard		The story of the oil tankers and the crews that sail in them.
December 1963	Report on a River		Following the River Thames from its source in Gloucestershire to the Port of London, which is modernising services and keep traffic moving.
December 1963	Europe Grows Together		An urgent look at Britain's links with the Continent.
April 1964	Turn of the Wheel		A look at what is happening to the old trains and buses that are being replaced.
May 1964	City of Air		A look at the many aspects of London Airport with a focus on BOAC and BEA airlines.
August 1964	Behind the Ton-Up Boys		A reflection on the nearly two million motorcyclists in Britain.
August 1964	Going Places Under Water		The world's first underwater sightseeing bus.
November 1964	Living with Cars		Analysis of what is being done to cope with the increasing number of cars on our roads. Includes footage from London and Cumbernauld.
December 1964	Flying to Work		The increasing number of private planes and helicopters in Britain's airspace.
February 1965	The Spirit of Brooklands		The story of the Surrey motor racing circuit.
April 1965	Weather Adviser		How special ships maintain a constant watch on the weather, whatever the conditions.
May 1965	What Price Safety?		A look at what is being done to make cars and roads safer.
September 1965	Down in the Dumps		How the problem of dumped cars is being addressed.

Disc Four (1965–1969)

Date of Feature	Title	Narrator	Synopsis
November 1965	Cats of the Sea		The thrill of sailing catamarans.
March 1966	Breaking the Ice		Looking at the icebreakers which keep shipping routes open.
December 1966	Skimming through the Sixties		Revisiting the Hovercraft and how it has been evolving.
December 1966	The Big Take-Off		Assessing what is happening to Britain's aircraft industry in the face of competition.
March 1967	Lighter than Air		Going up in a hot air balloon.
May 1967	Just an Accident		The shocking statistic that twenty people are killed on the roads daily.
May 1967	Scrambling for It		The motor sport which is attracting thousands of followers.
June 1967	The Straights of Dover		A closer look at the 750 ships that pass through the five-mile wide shipping channel every day.
August 1967	Where Do You Leave the Boat?		The problems of where to keep pleasure boats as more are built.
October 1967	Pushing the Bike		The impact of the bicycle on the world today.
December 1967	Playing Trains		How despite moves to diesel and electric traction thousands of people are still running steam locomotives on unprofitable branch lines.
September 1968	The City's for Living In		A response to the Buchanan Report with a focus on Bath and Norwich as to how British cities face the danger of the impact of traffic on the environment.
March 1969	All in a Day's Work		People who travel the world by air as part of their everyday jobs.
March 1969	A Load of Pheasants		Following intercontinental deliveries by lorries that travel through Britain's ferry ports.

Volume 2: Military

Disc One (1960–1961)

Date of Feature[4]	Title	Narrator	Synopsis[5]
1960	The Black Arrows	Tim Turner	The acrobatic team "Treble-One" Squadron who performed daring manoeuvres in jets capable of more than 700 mph.
1960	Ceremonial Soldier		As we see, the sentries at Buckingham Palace are still highly efficient soldiers.
1960	Soldier Abroad	Tim Turner	A soldier's life at the HQ of the Third Royal Tank Regiment in Detmold, West Germany.
1960	Under the Rocket	Tim Turner	Life at the rocket range in Woomera, South Australia, through the eyes of a young REME corporal and his wife.
1960	Thunder in Waiting	Tim Turner	The deadly cargo of the Vulcan Bomber is a crucial part of Britain's deterrent force.
1960	'A Piece of Cake'	Tim Turner	A film about the parachutists of the Parachute Regiment.
1960	Return to Arms	Tim Turner	A study of the new West German army.
1960	Submarine	Tim Turner	A glimpse of life and work in a submarine.
1961	The Rocket-Age Lancers	Tim Turner	Looking to the future with the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers.
1961	Air Umbrella		A look at NATO's international squadrons, with footage of the F104 Starfighter.
1960	Flight Deck	Tim Turner	The aircraft carrier is now the nerve centre of any large naval operation.
1961	Pipeline	Tim Turner	Refuelling both in the air and at sea.
1961	Girls Ahoy!	John Witty	Formed in wartime, the Women's Royal Naval Service is still going strong.
1961	Survival	Tim Turner	A look at survival techniques with Peter Whittingham and RAF expert Jock Wishart.
1961	Muscle Men	Tim Turner	A fast-moving film with enough vigour to prove that muscle and brawn still count!

Disc Two (1961–1964)

Date of Feature	Title	Narrator	Synopsis
1961	Action This Day		The tough training of the Royal Marine Commandos – some of Britain's finest fighting men.
1961	Char and Wad		The work of the NAAFI – from Kuwait to Gibraltar, Germany to Cyprus.
1962	Test Pilot		A look at the RAF Lightning, supersonic watchdog of Britain's skies.
1962	Rendered Safe		A look at the work of a bomb disposal squad.
1962	The Last Battleship		The life and death of HMS Vanguard, and the uses to which her steel will be put.
1962	Amphibian		A look at the DUKW and other amphibious military craft.
1962	Turning Blades		The world of the helicopter in 1962; from the Belvedere to the experimental Rotodyne VTOL craft.
1962	Plumbing the Depths		A film showing the importance of surveying the world's seas and oceans.
1962	Golden Wings		A look at various aircraft, including the Blackburn monoplane, the Sopwith Pup and the Hart.
1962	The Black Watch		The Queen Mother visits the Black Watch on the banks of the Tay.
1963	Girls of the Air		The girls behind the men who fly: members of the WRAF.
1963	The Sky's the Limit		Aerobatics, born of necessity in World War I, now form part of the RAF's training.
1964	Forward, March!		The infantryman is the indispensable soldier of the British Army.
1964	Doctor on Call		A look at a flying doctor service based near Kuala Lumpur.
1964	Trouble-Shooters		A film showing Britain's trouble-shooters, the Royal Marines, in Sarawak.

Disc Three (1964–1969)

Date of Feature	Title	Narrator	Synopsis
1964	Under One Umbrella		The story of how three fighting services were united under one command – the MOD.
1964	The Price of Valour		An insight into the lives of some of the holders of the Victoria Cross.
1964	The Jet Folk		We see the impact of the United States Third Air Force, stationed in Britain.
1964	Drummers of the Queen		A look at the little-known Junior Guardsmen's Company.
1965	The Flying Soldier		A look at helicopter training within the British Army.
1965	The Cherry-Pickers		Following the 11th Hussars from Hanover to Coburg.
1965	Jumping Jets		The revolutionary vertical take-off capacity of the RAF Kestrel.
1966	Air Lift		How transport command of the RAF keeps Zambia's economy alive.
1966	Down to Earth		Following WRAF girls as they trek into the jungle.
1966	East of Suez		More than 50,000 British soldiers, sailors and airmen police the rivers and jungles of Borneo.
1966	School for Skymen		A glimpse into the world of the RAF College at Cranwell.
1967	Moving Day		How the headquarters of NATO was moved from France to Belgium.
1967	Free Fall		The story of the Falcons – free-fall professionals.
1968	Jumping For Joy		The story of the Royal Green Jackets Skydiving Team.
1969	Underwater Menace		Dealing with the hazardous legacy of World War II.

Volume 3: Science

Disc One (1959–1963)

Date of Feature	Title	Narrator	Synopsis[6]
1959	Follow the Stars	E.V.H. Emmett	There are many who follow the stars. Some believe they can indicate the future, while astronomers spend their nights observing the heavens through the great telescopes at Jodrell Bank.
?	A Marriage is Arranged	E.V.H. Emmett	How a marriage between steel and plastic is successfully forged at British steelworks.
1960	Channel Tunnel	Tim Turner	A visit to the trial tunnel and a look at all the scientific research necessary.
1960	Healing Hands		The onward march of surgery – and the dedicated research behind the scenes of medicine.
1960	Testing Time	Tim Turner	A film about all the different things that need to be tested in Britain today.
1960	Making a Meal Out of It	Tim Turner	A film looking at various aspects of food, visiting research laboratories as well as taking a look at food from the turn of the century.
1961	Press-Button Age	Tim Turner	Every day is another step into the press-button age; this film shows how our lives are increasingly regulated by automation.
1961	Flood Tide		How the ceaseless battle with the sea is being fought with the aid of the Flood Warning System.
1961	Men With Ideas		A film providing insight into the machinery of patenting.
1961	Mystery of a Fish		From the River Axe in Devon, scientists catch every young salmon that swims downstream in an effort to map this species' incredible voyage.
1962	Rockets Away!		A film exploring the research being done on rockets, for both peaceful purposes and defence.
1962	The Little Menace		A study of what is being done in medical research.
1962	Trouble on Oily Waters		The dumping of oil waste in the sea has created a new menace along Britain's shoreline.
1962	Any Old Iron?		This film turns the spotlight on the people who prepare salvaged steel for re-use, and on the steel foundries which melt it down again.
1963	Caught in the Cold		Every year, Britain gets caught in the cold; cities crawl to a standstill, and road and rail traffic is disrupted. Why does this happen in an age of scientific miracles?

Disc Two (1963–1964)

Date of Feature	Title	Synopsis
1963	Figure it Out	The story of computers: from electronic tape and punched cards, to austere-looking robots.
1963	Keeping Clean	An interesting look at the new mechanised way of cleaning.
1963	The Destroyers	Pests come in all shapes and sizes, from the woodworm and grain weevil to the homely city pigeon. This film shows the research which goes on to control them.
1963	Back-Room of the Sky	At Boscombe Down, on the edge of Salisbury Plain, every part of a new plane is tested, and it is then flown to its operational limit. Not only are the aircraft tested, but also the men who fly them.
1963	People of Power	A close look at the operation of the Berkeley Nuclear Power Station.
1963	Second Chance	This moving film shows an achievement in which science and humanity have combined to offer the 100,000 people in Britain who have lost a limb a chance to live happy and useful lives.
1963	Key of the Door	A look at the educational centres where training in technical subjects is aiming to keep pace with the demands of this scientific age.
1963	You Can't Catch Much from a Fish	'Look at Life' went to see what the six months' compulsory quarantine means to the 3,000 dogs and 500 cats brought into Britain each year.
1963	Men Under Pressure	This exciting film shows the work of the men who build tunnels below water level, and the scientific and medical care that ensures they suffer no ill-effects from their unusual occupation.
1964	Fings are Getting Smaller	Taking a look at how everything is being reduced in size in the new compact age.
1964	Salute the Engineer	More and more engineers are needed to keep pace with developing industry; this film offers a glimpse of the wide range of jobs they undertake.
1964	So Much Flattery!	Few realise how far the art of imitation has developed. Synthetic furs and jewellery, artificial flowers and copies of great paintings, 'marble' made of laminated plastic, and that most quotidian of imitations – artificial teeth.
1964	Having a Baby	A look at the medical and social services available for both hospital and home births.
1964	Power Needs No Passport	Stretching across Western Europe is a network of electric power stations, linked by the transmission lines that span a continent. This is the story of an ever-present problem: Europe's increasing need for electricity.
1964	Wealth Under the Sea	A trip to the North Sea to follow the search for oil.

Disc Three (1964–1969)

Date of Feature	Title	Synopsis
1964	By Bread Alone	A look at what is happening in the baking industry as scientists try to find out why bread doesn't keep fresh longer and to solve the problem of staleness.
1965	Frontiers of Medicine	Machines are playing an increasing part not only in the treatment of disease, but also in helping to find out the causes of illness.
1965	Sugaring the Pill	Large numbers of pills are consumed every year; this film takes a look at the growth of the pharmaceutical industry.
1965	Beating the Racket	A look at what is being done to reduce noise levels.
1965	Will Taps Run Dry?	Much of Britain faces a water shortage every year. This film reveals the complex business of ensuring that the taps don't run dry.
1966	Treading on the Gas	Following the ships that come from the Sahara Desert bringing methane gas.
1966	Boxes of Tricks	The teaching machine – the educational box of tricks – is being used increasingly today in schools, universities and industry.
1966	The Givers	Britain's National Blood Transfusion Service came of age in 1967. It was the first of its kind in the world; Britain was and is today the best organised and equipped.
1967	What Price Ideas?	Taking a look at the new inventions that are being made in Britain today.
1967	Cleaning People	A look at the dry-cleaning business and the work of the chemists behind it.
1967	Press-Button Farms	A revolution is taking place down on the farm – the machines are taking over, so that the modern farmer can operate his farm almost single-handed.
1967	Keeping Tabs on Space	A look at Britain's first spacecraft, UK3, and how it was created, tested and launched.
1968	Brain Drain	The brain drain, mainly in young scientists and engineers, has risen to a rate of 6,000 men a year. Why do they go?
1968	North Sea Commuters	A film providing the background to the tapping of the vast supply of natural energy that Britain has discovered on her doorstep.
1969	Their Lifeline – The Nile	A film about the colossal Aswan High Dam – Egypt's greatest hope for the future.

Volume 4: Sport

Volume 5: Cultural History

Disc One

Title	Synopsis
A Dog's Life	Looking at London from a dog's point of view
Down London River	A leisurely journey through London along the river Thames
Coffee Bar	A look at the cult of the coffee bar and its habits
Garden of Tomorrow	Exploring British gardens, including the Chelsea Flower Show and all the latest garden gadgets
Harvest of Hops	Following a London family on their annual hop-picking holiday in Kent
Island of Men	A visit to the Fair Isle and population issues
Top People	Looking at new high rise living in the City of London
Shopping by the Ton	A look at London's main markets and the energy and bustle of three old markets and their traditions

Volume 6: World Affairs

Date of Feature	Title	Narrator	Synopsis[7]
1959	Marrakesh	E.V.H. Emmett	A look at Morocco's historical third city.
1959	The Divided City	Tim Turner	A look at the two very different faces of Berlin.
1959	Operation Noah's Ark	George Cansdale	The building of Africa's Kariba Dam created a vast lake, meaning death for the animals marooned on higher ground; this film shows the work done to save them.
1960	Seaway		A look at the opening of the Saint Lawrence seaway.
1960	Village of Violins		A visit to the village of Mittenwald in the Bavarian Alps, where for 300 years violin-making has been a traditional craft.
1960	Gibraltar's New Day	Tim Turner	Gibraltar has been a British outpost since 1704. This film visits the island as it prepares to become a holiday destination.
1960	The Wind of Change		A look at developments and achievements in Africa during the 1950s and 1960s.
1960	Power for Africa		A further look at Africa – in particular its increasing capacity to harness its waters.
1961	Rolling out from Rio		Six hundred miles inside Brazil stands the new capital Brasilia, one of the 20th century's most imaginative projects.
1961	Lady of Japan		A look at the development of Japan, and especially Tokyo.
1961	Flags over the Temples		A look at the impact of the south-east Asia treaty organisation (SEATO) in Thailand.
1961	City of Crisis		A film that takes another look at the crisis-torn city of Berlin.
1962	A Problem of People		A film examining the ways in which Pakistan is tackling its immense refugee problem.
1962	Eagle's Nest		Berchtesgaden, in the Bavarian Alps, attracts visitors from all over the world; many come to see Hitler's 'Eagle's Nest', a feat of construction that survived World War II.
1962	The Maple has New Leaves		A film showing the emigration to Canada of a typical English family.
1962	Chasing the Dragon		A look at illegal drug trafficking in Hong Kong and the problems of heroin addiction.
1962	The Trail leads Upwards		A visit to a native Canadian family, and a look at the construction of a new bridge across the Niagara river.
1962	G.H.Q. Middle East		A mixture of the old and the new: a look at G.H.Q. middle east at Aden.
1962	The Wall		A visit to Hadrian's wall in Northumberland, and a more detailed examination of the Berlin wall.
1962	Out of the Sun		A look at immigration from the West Indies into Britain.
1962?	Common Market		An assessment of the progress of the Common Market during a period in which its member countries have begun to remove trade barriers.
1962	The Changing River		A film looking at the changing face of the River Rhine.
1962	Millions on the March		Following the state visit of Queen Elizabeth II, this film looks at India's development in terms of farming and industry.
1962	Call from the Wild		A look at wildlife protection in North and South Rhodesia, and the development of national parks.
1963	Out of the Bush		A look at the emerging independent countries of Africa, featuring images of life in both the village and the city.
1963	Men of the Woods		For centuries the men of Berchtesgaden have earned their living from the trees that surround them; now mechanisation is eroding their traditional skills.
1963	Forging New Links		The story of Ulster began when James I obtained money from the city of London to colonise the north of Ireland. This film looks at Ulster's role in Britain's productivity.
1963	Gypsy Holiday		Each year, Europe's gypsies make a pilgrimage to the Camargue – the wild corner of France where the Rhône meets the Mediterranean.
1963	Pick of the Bunch		A look at wine producing in France and Germany.
1964	The New Australians		A trip to Australia to see how the country is coping with its large intake of immigrants.
1964	Men of the Snowy		Few migrants have ever found a more spectacular role than the men working together on Australia's vast project to harness the waters of the Snowy River.
1964	Singapore is Youth		A look at a modern, forward-looking Singapore.
1964	Off the Sheep's Back		Australia has 15 times more sheep than people, with wool providing nearly half of the country's export earnings. But how does Australia envision its future?
1964	Constant Hot Water		A film looking at the volcanic zone of New Zealand, and the hot water it produces.
1964	Tide on the Turn		This film looks at the economic and social impact of foreign industrialists in the Irish republic.
1964	Malta Milestone		With the demise of the great naval dockyard, Malta has sought new ways to generate income...
1965	Women at Sea		A look at the various seafaring jobs for women – from work on the great passenger liners, to merchant navies.
1965	James Bond's Island		A look at post-independence Jamaica, and the country's hope to gain a firm footing in the modern world.
1965	Volunteers for Service		Part of the contribution made by Britain to assist newly independent countries in increasing their skills and knowledge.
1965	Men Against the Sea		For centuries the Dutch have fought against the sea: this film looks at the delta plan – a spectacular sea-defence scheme.
1966	The Curtain Changes		A look at the frontiers between Eastern and Western Europe.
1966	On Top of the World		A look at the changing way of life in Lapland – the vast tract of forest land that stretches across the north of Norway, Sweden and Finland, and into Russian.
1966	Swedish Pattern		Look at life goes to Sweden to examine the country's pioneering way of life – and potential influence on Britain.
1966	Market by the Danube		A visit behind the iron curtain to Hungary to see how it has changed.
1966	The Beach		The world's most famous beach is the Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro. But overlooking it are the shacks of the world's poorest people.
1966	Face Lift		A tale of two cities looking at the ways in which Paris and London have set about cleaning up their appearance.
1966	Incas in bowler hats		The majority of the Bolivian population is Indian, with traditions dating back to the Incas. But the problem of uniting the Bolivians of Indian and Spanish descent remains.
1966	One in Six		A look at Luxembourg, a country of 1,000 square miles and, in the early 1960s, a population of 50,000.
1966	An Island Awakes		Sardinia was once considered a depressed area; this film looks at the changes resulting from a major development plan.
1966	City of All Nations		A visit to São Paulo in Brazil, a city which is growing continually each year.
1966	The Six Come Closer		A close look at the European Community, showing some of the problems that the common market has had to solve.
1966	Jobs Where You Like		A film examining one of the most exciting aspects of the common market: the free movement of migrant workers.
1966	Pipeline to Plenty		A look at how Kuwait is coping with its newly acquired wealth, and the provisions being made for the future.
1967	End of a Polish March		A look at the lives of Britain's Polish community.
1967	Once Upon a Time...		A trip to Denmark to look at the Danish way of life.
1967	Living on a Volcano		Ascension Island is home to many families, who sometimes work there for up to two years.
1967	Chinatown		A look at the world of the Chinese who have made Britain their home.
1967	Inside Russia 1: Fifty!		A film providing a background to the achievements of the Russian people – expressed in great housing schemes, giant dams and, of course, the conquest of space.
1967	Inside Russia 2: The Heiresses		A look at the role of women in the soviet union – from helping to build new flats to running factories, driving buses to presiding over divorce courts.
1967	Inside Russia 3: Childhood		A film that traces the story of Russian children, through kindergarten, school and university.
1967	Inside Russia 4: The Woken Land		Although Siberia conjures up a picture of exile and slave labour, the new Siberia has modern cities with young populations. This film explores life east of the Urals.
1968	Winter Blossoms		A look at the rapid changes taking place in the Algarve, with the planning of luxury development schemes along the coastline.
1968	Man of the Desert		A look at changes taking place in Tunisia, ten years after it gained independence.
1968	Something New Under Everest		Nepal, once a forbidden country, is opening up; this film offers a picture of life in one of the world's most picturesque countries, as old customs give way to new ideas.
1968	A New Shade of Red		A look at the changing pattern of Czech life during the upheaval of 1968.
1968	Coming of Age		A film about India; what has been achieved, and what still remains to be done in the sub-continent where problems are never small ones.
1968	Home is Tibet		A film looking at Tibetan refugees, and the way in which their Dalai Lama has kept the scattered community intact.
1968	The Sinking City		A look at the efforts being made to prevent Venice from sinking.
1968	Escape into Riches		A look at the spiritual wealth of India – as expressed in her art and design, her music and dance, and her sculpture and architecture.
1969	In the Shadow of the Wall		Behind the Berlin wall is a death-strip with electrified fences and watchtowers; this film also looks at the rebuilding of West Berlin, and the hope of reunification.
1969	After the Queen's Visit		In 1968, the Queen paid a state visit to Chile – the first British reigning monarch to do so. This film considers what the future holds for this country.
1969	Look at Man		Look at life visits the Isle of Man to discover why it wants greater independence.

Volume 7: Business and Industry

Contents (3 discs)

Date	Title	Synopsis[8]
	Market Place	Sid James narrates a film looking at street markets at a time when they are increasingly forced to compete with modern supermarkets.
	A Car Is Born	A survey of the success of the British car, this film considers the various stages of design, production and testing to build up a fascinating profile of the industry
	Saving Face	A look at the magic of the beauty business
	Money Talks	A film investigating the complex world of money.
	Down on the Farm	A look at the newest developments in farming of every kind.
	Bottle Party	Look at Life tells the fascinating story of why we throw away 200 million bottles every year!
	Under the Hammer	A look at the world of auctions, from the often characteristic auctioneers selling every kind of commodity, to the many different people who come to their sale-rooms.
	A Year for a Day	For many people in Britain, Christmas provides an all-year-round job, with crackers, cards, decorations and the growing of trees offering constant employment.
	Roman Invasion	Long before the era of the Italian coffee bar came the ice cream man, the organ grinder and the cafe owner; before them, the innovative invaders of 2,000 years ago...
	On The Mark	Shooting is big business in Britain today, and this film looks at that business – from the production and testing of guns to their use on moors and ranges.
	Shares in Tomorrow	A study of the exciting world of stock exchanges and how a deal is done between a broker and a jobber.
	Shelling Out	This unusual film examines the world of shellfish – from the delicate-tasting oyster to the humbler mussel, and the sudden popularity of scampi.
	What A Pet!	A light-hearted survey of the pet world in general and the budgerigar part of it in particular. A film that every pet owner will love.
	Ice Age	The manufacture and multifarious uses of an abundantly available substance: ice!
	And So To Bed	A look at the manufacture of one of modern life's most important purchases, the mattress.
	Coming, Sir!	An interesting look into the developing hotel industry and the problems it has to face.
	Tulip Town	The Story of Spalding, told on the most significant day in the town's calendar: that of the annual Flower Parade, when over 8,000,000 tulip heads show visitors the glory of the tulip industry.
	For the Record	How Helen Shapiro's 1961 hit "Walkin' Back To Happiness" was recorded; pressed and distributed.
	Jobs with a Thrill	Think your job is too boring? See what these men do for a living.
	Roses All The Way	England's national emblem for centuries, the rose is our most fragrant export. This sparding film looks at the enduringly popular perennial gracing millions of gardens.
	Everything Stops For Tea	Everything stops when the kettle boils! This is the story of what happens to our national beverage from the time it is landed at the London docks until it reaches our teapots.
	Lights Up	The subject of modern lighting is explored and a colourful and intriguing survey given of the people who make, experiment with, and use light.
	Fish and Ships
	The Hat Trick	David Nixon takes us for a peek into the world of ladies' hats
	At the End of a Rope	A look at rope, how it's made and what it's used for
	Pictures Tell the Story
	The Box on the Wall
	Crowning Glory
	Rising to High Office	A look at London's changing skyline, including the new Shell Centre
	The Trade Winds Blow	A trip to the north-east of England and a look at its precarious position in modern industry
	Glamour Gets a Passport
	A Pinch of Salt
	Silver's New Shine
	The Golden West
	For Crying Out Loud!
	Stone Age
	Ups and Downs
	Spuds Galore	A look at the humble potato
	Money in the Slot
	The Other Film World	A film about film and its applications in industry and technology
	Laying The Table
	New Hands on the Farm
	Down Town
	Farming For Fish
	Putting More Beef into It
	The Sweet Life
	Living on Smoke
	Cover Story	A look at the increasing popularity of paperback books
	Evening Paper
	Music by the Mile
	Home Tomorrow
	Roll Out The Barrell
	The Hidden Strength
	Putting on a Show
1967	Put To the Test
1967	Put Out The Flags	The uses and making of flags
1967	On The Scent
1967	Hopping Along!	A look at the disappearing world of the Kent hop pickers
1968	Top Chef	A day in the life of Eugene Kaufeler, head chef at London's Dorchester Hotel
1968	Can you read this?	A look at literacy in modern Britain

References

1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
2. "Look at Life". BUFVC. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
4. BFI.org
5. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Look-Life-Volume-Two-Military/dp/B004M2FD7C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361297801&sr=8-1
6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 August 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 6 October 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
8. http://networkonair.com/shop/2215-look-at-life-volume-7-business-and-industry-5027626435042.html