Story: Documentary film

Pacific Films at work

Pacific Films at work

John O'Shea (left) and Tomson Garland shoot a documentary about farm safety for Pacific Films in 1960. Pacific Films was founded in 1948 by Alun Falconer and Roger Mirams, but John O'Shea, who joined in 1950, became the long-term inspirational leader of the firm. Pacific Films was the only signficant independent film company in New Zealand until the 1970s. It survived through making short documentaries such as this one. Pacific Films made the only three feature films in New Zealand from the Second World War until 1970, and also important documentaries such as the Tangata whenua series.

Using this item

Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, Stills collection
Reference: S5267_201427950

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Courtesy of the Pacific Films Collection

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How to cite this page:

Helen Martin, 'Documentary film - Educating the public – 1940 to 1960', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/43587/pacific-films-at-work (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Helen Martin, published 22 Oct 2014