Research (Generic)- The Night Mail

The Night Mail is a significant piece of film that influenced British Film culture in the 1930's and 1940's and it is not unreasonable to say, that it has influenced the way in which modern day documentaries are constructed and portrayed.

Similarities of 'The Night Mail' to modern documentaries:

• Facts and figures about the topic being documented were included 
• Cutaway shots of related topics were included
• Footage is filmed at locations rather than studios 
• Non-diegetic music is used 

Differences of 'The Night Mail' to modern documentaries:

• Lack of interviews, whether it would be vox pop, expert opinion or subject opinion
• There would be more narration or a presenter 
• The documentary's purpose could be to persuade as well as entertain and inform
• Even though the pace is somewhat similar to modern documentaries, I think that modern documentaries are slightly faster.