Squeaky Pedal were recently commissioned by the National Army Museum to create a brand new documentary. The film will explore how museums from across the country have worked to preserve incredible personal stories from the Falklands War over the last 40 years.
In 1982, the British Army took part in a 10-week campaign to retake the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic, following their surprise capture by the Argentine military. Fought 8,000 miles from home, in often challenging conditions, the war had a profound impact on all those involved.
The documentary will also share unique oral histories of five veterans of the conflict taken from the archives of the National Army Museum. These powerful testimonies have been brought to life through the use of carefully crafted animated sequences, sharing the authentic voices of the experiences of soldiers during the conflict.
In creating the documentary, we were fortunate to view fascinating items and hear first-hand testimonies sourced from the collections of the National Army Museum, Airborne Assault Museum, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Museum and the Guards Museum.
These objects range from the helmet of an Argentine General that was left forgotten in an attic for decades, to a Victoria Cross whose owner gave his life during the conflict. One of the most powerful items for the team to witness was a piece of music written on the side of a ration box, and then performed by its composer in the aftermath of battle. To help tell this story a piper of the Scots Guards performed the tune The Crags of Tumbledown Mountain at Wellington Barracks, the home of the Foot Guards.
We were also able to view a captured Argentine Panhard armoured car held by members of the Household Cavalry Regiment that had been lovingly restored by serving members of the army who devoted hundreds of man hours to the project.
Seeing the passion both museum curators, volunteers and serving personnel have for objects that tell the stories of the Falklands War is always a humbling experience. It was our job as filmmakers to capture this enthusiasm, and to convey the power these objects have for connecting us to the conflict.
Through the help and support of the fantastic team at the National Army Museum we’re proud to be able to share with audiences some of these incredible stories from the Falklands war in our latest film.
The documentary will premiere on the National Army Museum website at 12:00pm on 30 June 2022.
