Following films on crime and policing, fashion, design and architecture, the third release in the BFI's DVD series of historical films made by the Central Office of Information takes a look at Britain's Armed Forces.

To help paint a positive picture of life in the Services, the COI produced morale-boosting documentaries, propaganda items and numerous recruitment films aimed at men and women, which placed emphasis on escaping the hum-drum of daily life. Join the Services, they say, and a world of opportunity awaits you!

Viewed today, many of these films offer a fascinating snapshot of mid to late twentieth century Britain; some reinforce decades of prevailing social mores and others reflect changing social attitudes. All show skilful and imaginative filmmaking and are both informative and wonderfully entertaining.

Among the highlights of the 23 films spanning 1946-1985 included in this 2-disc set are: Victory Parade (1946) in which troops from all over the British Empire arrive in London to celebrate victory over the Nazis; They Stand Ready (1955), a look at the vital role of National Service; Suez in Perspective (1957), where the Suez Crisis is given a positive spin; Routine Adventure (1965), about the RAF's role in Aden; When You Wake Up (1974), a recruitment film for schoolgirls which attempts to lure then into the Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC), typing skills an advantage; HMS Sheffield (1975) and Tornado (1985), big boys' toys on the high seas and in the skies.

The COI Collection – Films from Britain, Volume Three: They Stand Ready will be released as a 2-disc DVD on 19th July 2010 by the BFI at the RRP of £19.99. Special features include:

• Egypt Today: The Anglo-French Aggression Against Egypt (1956), a very different story
  is told in this Egyptian response to British Suez propaganda;
• Illustrated booklet with comprehensive contextualising film notes and essays.

The full list of included films is:

Disc One

Victory Parade (1946)
Men of the World (1950)
Eagles of the Fleet (1950)
Out of the Groove (1950)
They Stand Ready (1955)
Suez in Perspective (1957)
Musicians in the Making (1958)
Military Policeman (1961)
Ten Foot Tall (1964)
Winged Horizons (1965)
Egypt Today: Anglo-French Aggression Against Egypt (1956)

Disc Two

Voyage North (1965)
Routine Adventure (1965)
Army Summer of 1968 (1968)
Exercise Enterprise (1968)
Best of Both Worlds (1971)
Community Relations Officer (1974)
When You Wake Up (1974)
Ark Royal (c.1970)
HMS Sheffield (1975)
Tornado Trailer (1985)
Royal Navy Amazon (c.1980)
Tornado (1985)