Video

Battle Of Trafalgar

Mark Saunders and Mark Saunders

1990, 52:00 minutes, colour, English

TAPECODE 883.06

Battle Of Trafalgar is a documentary that examines the media coverage of the Poll Tax demonstration come riot that occurred in London England March 1990. It also examines the response of the police and their use of the media.

Despite TV does this by recounting the day's events through live footage of the day and interviews recorded over the following weeks, with demonstrators, lawyers and critics of the media and police tactics. Demonstrators' testimonies raise uncomfortable questions about crowd control, the independence and accountability of the media, and the right to demonstrate. Who stands to gain from the spectacle of a demonstration degenerating into a full scale riot?

Although the Poll Tax has been abolished in name, this unfair basis of taxation will continue until 1994, there is no amnesty for those who have not or could not pay the Poll Tax and millions still face the threat of imprisonment.
Battle Of Trafalgar was screened on Channel 4 on September 1990.

Perspective sur la manifestation du 31 mars 1990 contre la capitation en Grande-Bretagne, diamétralement opposée aux reportages diffusés à la télé. Au lieu de têtes parlantes, du métrage tourné sur le vif servant de toile de fond sur laquelle se greffent des témoignages véridiques - remise en question du rôle des forces de l'ordre, et de l'indépendance et la responsabilité des média.

Rental and Sales

Single Screening Rental

$240.00

Educational Purchase DVD (Bluray +$15)

$260.00

5 Year Educational Streaming License, Digital File with DVD Circulation Copy

$550.00

Gallery Exhibition and Installation, complete Media Request form for quote

Institutional Archival Acquisition, complete Media Request form for quote

Curators and programmers, please contact distribution@vtape.org to receive a login and password to preview Vtape titles online.

Screening and exhibition rentals and archival acquisitions include public performance rights; educational purchases or licenses include rights for classroom screenings and library circulation. When placing an order the customer agrees to our general online terms and conditions. Payment (or a purchase order number) and a signed licensing agreement must be received before media can be shipped to the client.

Critical Writing

Images: An Immdeiate Response
by Kika Thorne. LIFT, June 25, 1991.
Movies (Video programming during Vancouver's MayWorks Festival)
by Elizabeth Aird. Vancouver Sun, May 3, 1991.