Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- April 1989 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 mp4 (8.1 MB); part of 3 VHS, 2 DVD and 2 mp4 (143.6 MB & 248.4 MB) & part of 1 Umatic and 1 mov (2.75 GB)
Context area
Archival history
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Five copies of a colour advert with sound, showing Britsh Prime Ministers wearing angry facial expressions, set to classical music:
a. The advert shows a series of still black and white photographs of 9 British Prime Ministers, from William Pitt the Younger to Margaret Thatcher, each slowly morphing into shots of the person wearing an angry or miserable expression.
Commentary: "Since 1791 there have been 57 Britsh Prime Ministers. The Observer has annoyed every single one of them. Can you think of a better reason to read a newspaper?"
(Unspoken) tagline: "A different set of values. A different kind of paper."
The advert starts at 10.51 on the 'Historical Reel 1976 - 1989' mp4 file. Duration: 37 seconds.
b. Duplicate of version (a) with a shorter end frame on the 'Historical Reel 1985 - 1995' VHS and mp4 file.The advert starts at 07.38 on the mp4 file. Duration: 30 seconds.
c. Duplicate with green tint on a separate VHS tape and mov file. The advert starts at 02.33 on the mov file. Duration: 34 seconds.
d. Duplicate of version (c) on the same VHS tape and mov file. The advert starts at 03.21 on the mov file. Duration: 44 seconds.
e. Duplicate of versions (a & b) on a separate VHS and mp4, with the picture off-centre in the frame. The advert starts at 0.01 on the mp4 file. Duration: 38 seconds.
Creator: The Observer Limited, 1917-1993
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Access via GNM Digital Repository.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Access Status
Open
Closed until
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
a) Also included on the VHS, DVD and mp4 file are Observer adverts: OBS/9/1/1/5-11; OBS/9/1/1/12a; OBS/9/1/1/13-15; OBS/9/1/1/16a; OBS/9/1/1/17/1b; OBS/9/1/1/21/2b; OBS/9/1/1//24/1a; OBS/9/1/1/24/2a; OBS/9/1/1/24/3a; OBS/9/1/1/24/3c and OBS/9/1/1/35a.
b) Also included on the 'Historical Reel, 1985-1995' VHS and mp4 are Observer adverts; OBS/9/1/1/19, OBS/9/1/1/20c, OBS/9/1/1/21/1a, OBS/9/1/1/21/2a, OBS/9/1/1/23a, OBS/9/1/1/24/1b, OBS/9/1/1/24/2b, OBS/9/1/1/24/3b, OBS/9/1/1/24/3d, OBS/9/1/1/26c, OBS/9/1/1/27j, OBS/9/1/1/28, OBS/9/1/1/30a, OBS/9/1/1/31d, OBS/9/1/1/32a, OBS/9/1/1/33a, OBS/9/1/1/37/1a, OBS/9/1/1/37/2a, OBS/9/1/1/38/1a, OBS/9/1/1/39, OBS/9/1/1/40a, OBS/9/1/1/41, OBS/9/1/1/42a, OBS/9/1/1/43a, OBS/9/1/1/44/1a, OBS/9/1/1/44/2a, OBS/9/1/1/45a, OBS/9/1/1/47-61, OBS/9/1/1/62/1a, OBS/9/1/1/62/2, OBS/9/1/1/64/1a, OBS/9/1/1/64/5, OBS/9/1/1/65a, OBS/9/1/1/66a, OBS/9/1/1/67, OBS/9/1/1/68a, OBS/9/1/1/69a and OBS/9/1/1/70.
c-d) Also included on the VHS and mov file are Observer advert OBS/9/1/1/35 versions (c) and (d).