File 4 - Review / News / Preview

Part of 1 VHS and 1 mp4 (25.8 MB)

A colour advert in four parts advertising the review, news and preview sections of the Observer in turn. Each section has its own background music: and ends witth the last li ne of the commentary written across the screen as a tagline.

The first part flicks between a man in a suit reading the commentary from an antique armchair and a man in a t-shirt and sunglasses typing with one finger and looking confused. Commentary: "If you want the top line on a Tarantino film, read Preview. If you want to know whether Tarantino's violence is something he feels, or a brilliant affectation, I suggest you don't. The Review: the section with depth." It ends on a sepia shot of the review section with an old fashioned pair of glasses resting on top.

The second part shows grainy war footage - possibly from the Bosnian War, with the commentary: "You don't need a flak jacket to investigate fringe theatre. The news section: where the real journalists work." It ends with a black and white shot of the news section.

The third part shows a young man leaning into the camera and reading the commentary as verbs in the past tense appear on the screen around him - the 'ed' at the end of each highlighted in red. The camera then speeds through a series of bars, cafes and record shops. Commentary: "The trouble with all the other sections? They're history, ergo boring. Preview: your guide to the next seven tomorrows."

The advert is finished off with an animated spread of the paper and all its supplements (the same as that showin in OBS/9/1/1/71/4) and the commentary: "Join The Observer this Sunday."

The advert starts at 01.01 on the mp4 file. Duration: 47 seconds.

Creator: The Observer Limited, 1917-1993

Creator: Chiat/Day, 1968-1995

Access via GNM Digital Repository.

Also included on the VHS, DVD and mp4 file are Observer adverts OBS/9/1/1/71/3 and OBS/9/1/1/71/7.