We're a bit late with this story due to an email hiccup, but it's worth posting anyway in case you've not picked it up elsewhere, as Optimum have announced the UK DVD release of five British films from the 40s and 50s, all of them appearing on UK DVD for the first time and unless otherwise stated are without extra features.

The Proud Valley (1940) stars the great Paul Robeson as a black American sailor David Goliath who, stranded in Cardiff, finds work in the coal mines and joins their choir. When the mines are closed as deemed too dangerous, the miners march in protest to London, where they win the right to re-open and supply coal to the war effort. However when an explosion rocks the mine, Goliath must risk everything in order to free his trapped comrades. Directed by Penrose Tennyson, the film is being released as a 60th Anniversary edition on DVD, but has only a trailer in the extras drawer.

Nine Men (1943) takes place in the North Africa campaign in WWII. When their convoy is destroyed by enemy aircraft, nine British soldiers are forced to make a stand in an abandoned desert hovel against almost overwhelming Italian forces. Starring Jack Lambert (The Four Feathers) and Gordon Jackson (The Great Escape) and directed by Harry Watt (Where No Vultures Fly).

Painted Boats (1945) is part romance and part documentary, and follows the lives and loves of two boat families on the Midlands canal. Charles Crichton directs the film in the Ealing documentary style, with a voiceover narration by Louis MacNeice.

Night Boat to Dublin (1946): When British intelligence gain information concerning a missing Swedish scientist developing an atomic bomb for the enemy there's no time to lose. Their first lead is a villainous perpetrator hiding undercover in Ireland. The night boat to Dublin awaits but is everything what it seems in this deceitful game of subterfuge? Robert Newton (Treasure Island, Tom Brown's Schooldays), Herbert Lom (The Pink Panther, The Ladykillers) and Guy Middleton (The Rise And Rise Of Michael Rimmer, The Magic Christian) star in this devilish wartime tale of adventure, intrigue and suspense.

Cry, the Beloved Country (1952) is the story of a black minister's search for his missing son amongst the squalor and poverty of Johannesberg's slums, aided by young Reverend Misimangu. Actually filmed in South Africa at the height of apartheid, stars Canada Lee and Sidney Poitier had to pretend to be the indentured servants of Zolta Korda in order to be able to associate with the director. Nominated for 2 BAFTAS, the film is based on the acclaimed novel by Alan Paton.

All 5 DVDs will be released individually by Optimum Home Entertainment at the RRP of £15.99 each on 11th January 2010, except Cry, the Beloved Country, which will be released on 18th January 2010.