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London Can Take It!

Name: London Can Take It!
Director: Humphrey Jennings, Harry Watt
Released: 1940
Duration: 9 min

Representation Score

1.9/10

Minimal

1940

Approved

Director

Humphrey Jennings, Harry Watt

Runtime

9 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

London Can Take It! serves as a powerful tribute to wartime resilience, highlighting the lived experiences of the working class through social realism. By focusing on the 'common man,' the GPO Film Unit offers a rare, grounded look at the wartime economy. However, the film operates strictly within the traditionalism of the mid-20th century. Its primary goal is to strengthen national identity and social stability, which limits its scope regarding diverse identities, races, and abilities. It reinforces existing power dynamics and social conformity to maintain morale. Ultimately, while the film is a landmark of documentary technique, it lacks the diversity of identity, race, and ability that modern viewers expect. It is a product of its time, designed to unify a specific demographic against an external threat.

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Category Breakdown

Does London Can Take It! have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film follows the social norms of the 1940s, where there is no depiction of diverse gender identities or same-sex relationships.

How does London Can Take It! portray gender?

Fair

Women are shown managing civilian life with significant influence. However, the film portrays gender roles as complementary parts of a unified national effort without challenging traditional hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is London Can Take It!?

Limited

The narrative primarily focuses on the white British civilian experience. It lacks the explicit centering of non-Anglo-Saxon identities, reflecting the propaganda goals of the time.

How does London Can Take It! represent religion and culture?

Minimal

The film celebrates traditional Western institutions and patriotism. It emphasizes social cohesion and civic duty to bolster national morale without critiquing the existing social order.

Does London Can Take It! include disability representation?

Minimal

The documentary highlights the collective strength of the able-bodied workforce. There are no prominent depictions of individuals with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

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