Social Realism

In early British cinema Social Realism was first emphasised in James Williamson's 'A Reservist Before the War and After the War'.  A film focusing on the return of a soldier from the Boer War, and his struggle as he tries to fit in with normality.

Social Realism in film was reflecting Britain's development through war, with films such as Target for Tonight (1941), In Which We Serve (1942), Millions Like Us (1943), and This Happy Breed (1944).  Historian Roger Manvell explains that Social Realism was such a success in the 1940's as the public were "searching for relief from hard work, companionship, release from tension, emotional indulgence and, where they could find them, some reaffirmation of the values of humanity."

In the 1950's and 60's, a British New Wave movement emerged.  British auteurs like Karel Reisz, Tony Richardson, and John Schlesinger were very popular.  British New Wave films include Room at the Top (1958), Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960), The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962), and A Kind of Loving (1962).

Social realism as a genre grew dramatically during and after the first world war, it allowed its audience to gain a deeper understand of the situations surrounding them, and enabled them to reflect with others and not just alone.