The British Empire in Colour

The British Empire in Colour is a three-part series that chronicles the decline and legacy of the British Empire. As its title suggests, this retrospective tells much of its story through original colour film footage, accompanied by narration of the filmed material and correspondence between the British Crown and its colonies.

The first part of the series explores the late height and early decline of the Empire, examining how it responded to major global events such as the First World War and the Second World War, as well as the rise of nationalist movements within its territories. The second part focuses on the collapse of the Empire, brought about by the loss of colonies and territories in India and Africa, alongside geopolitical tensions such as conflicts linked to communist states. The final part examines the legacy of these developments, including the coronation of Elizabeth II, the transition from an intercontinental empire to the Commonwealth, and the increasing autonomy and independence of countries such as Australia and Canada.