Series

The Years Back

Television, 1973

Made by the National Film Unit, this documentary series uses archival footage to cover six decades of history. Presenter Bernard Kearns covers 1900 to 1960, looking at the "people and events that shaped the New Zealand of today" (the show was broadcast in 1973). Seven of the 13 episodes were devoted to World War ll. Footage (including the 1931 Napier Earthquake) is accompanied by interviewees recalling or commenting on past events, big and small. The choice of content was influenced by what historic film had survived.