Soundtrack in British Wartime Propaganda Films: How Does It Cultivate National Character and Inspire People?

Abstract

This paper describes the important propaganda role played by British composers and their music (soundtrack) in wartime propaganda films in order to boost the morale of British soldiers and people’s patriotism, mostly in the historical context of the Elizabethan period, the Napoleonic Wars and the mid-twentieth century. The methodology used in this study was based on a qualitative approach: documentary analysis, using the relevant literature searched for to analyse the information and draw conclusions. Details about the following information were obtained by the author: the findings showed that, firstly, most orchestral-based scores are used because only orchestral music can express a majestic atmosphere and give images of victory and triumph; secondly, in terms of harmonic structure, tonality and orchestration, most use major keys, eighth and sixteenth notes, and some historical instruments to evoke and conform to historical memories of the war scenes. In the end, the aim of all composers’ scores is to have a positive effect by inspiring patriotism in Britain with music that is fanfare.