Weekly Review No. 337 - Wheat Problem 1948

Short Film (Full Length) – 1948

This post-war Weekly Review urges Kiwi farmers to grow more wheat in the face of a world shortage, and out of a patriotic duty to help Britain. Graphic images of global poverty (especially in the final minutes) are counterpointed with NZ wealth and agricultural ingenuity. The film features scientist Otto Frankel, who introduced new wheat varieties that were better suited to the local climate. This was director Alun Falconer's only on-screen credit while working at the National Film Unit. He and Roger Mirams soon left to found pioneering company Pacific Film Unit (later Pacific Films).

Since 1910 work has gone on at Lincoln College to improve varieties and strains. The task has been to find a wheat that suits New Zealand's soil and climate, and gives in these conditions, the highest yields ...
– The 1948 wheat mission