This month we celebrate the 90th anniversary of the release of a classic of the British documentary film movement – Night Mail.
Famous for W.H. Auden’s rhythmic verse commentary – This is the night mail crossing the Border, Bringing the cheque and the postal order, Letters for the rich, letters for the poor, The shop at the corner, the girl next door – Night Mail documents the nightly journey of the postal train from London to Scotland.
Released by the GPO Film Unit in February 1936, the film’s joint director, producer, editor and script writer was Basil Wright who attended Sherborne School (Harper House) from 1921 to 1926.
Watch Night Mail (BFI player)
To find out more visit Basil Wright – poet of the documentary movement
Visit Sherborne School Archive News for more stories from the archives.
Posted 2 February 2026 by Sherborne School Archives