The Way We Live

[Maurice Leakey]

I have just viewed a very interesting film made in 1946 which discusses the rebuilding of Plymouth after the war. The city was nearly destroyed by the wartime bombing raids. It is called "The Way We Live".

I went with my parents to holiday in Newquay in 1947 and will never forget those terrible sights of a broken city from the train windows.

Most members will like the film, but I am particularly posting this as we have a popular member who lives in Plymouth. It would be interesting to know if the proposals debated actually materialised.

Fortunately the complete film is available on YouTube. Click below to watch.


The Way We Live (1946) - COMPLETE FILM - YouTube

[Tom Photiou]

Very good film too Maurice, i saw this on Talking pictures TV. My Mum was in that last parade through the remains of the City's Centre when thousands marched to get things moving.

[Maurice Leakey]

Very interesting, Tom
Did the proposals as prophesied in the film actually take place for Plymouth?

[Paul Adsett]

What an amazing film Maurice, a real time capsule, much more than a typical documentary film. Thanks so much for posting it.
I have the Derann print of City of Sailors, which is one of the Rank Look At Life shorts. It deals with the reconstruction of Portsmouth after the war. A very good print too.

[Tom Photiou]

They did Maurice, up until around the late 70s, Plymouth was one of the most modern City Centres in the UK. Plymouth was one of the heaviest bombed Cites during WW2 so much of it, like many other cities, had to be totally rebuilt, fortunately, many of the old historical buildings remained and are visited today by tourists, especially the Barbican area.