Imagine sitting in the small cinema building at HMS Tern, with its curved corrugated iron roof arching overhead, eagerly waiting for the main feature to begin. The place would be packed with off-duty personnel, and the air would be filled with cigarette smoke curling into the chilly atmosphere above. As the lights dimmed, a hush would fall over the audience as the movie flickered to life on the screen. The main feature could have been an entertainingly stoic film like the 1942 production of ‘Mrs. Miniver’, or perhaps another instructional film focused on aviation.

During the Second World War, cinema became a vital tool for uplifting the spirits of British service personnel. At Royal Naval Air Stations (RNAS), films were routinely shown to pilots, ground crew, and various other personnel. These screenings served not only as entertainment but also as a much-needed escape from the stresses of wartime service.

As the war raged on, the pressures these individuals faced were immense, with many spending long hours on demanding missions and coping with the uncertainties of combat or training. By offering access to the latest films, these air stations created a communal space where service members could relax, bond with one another, and temporarily forget their worries. Aside from the training films, the screenings often featured a mix of popular films, comedies, and wartime propaganda, all aimed at reinforcing a sense of unity and purpose among the troops during these challenging times. Film distribution and organisation was often coordinated through the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI) who arranged entertainment for service personnel across the British armed forces.

Generally in the UK, cinemas were initially closed at the outbreak of the war but reopened quickly and continued to operate even during the Blitz. The content of films was closely regulated by the government to ensure that they supported the war effort. As the war progressed, the themes of films shifted from escapism to realism, focusing on heroism, sacrifice, and national unity. These films often depicted the struggles and triumphs of ordinary people, reinforcing the idea of a collective effort against the enemy.

In addition to films made for entertainment and morale boosting, the Ministry of Information also produced propaganda films, training films, and newsreels.

Typical programmes included:

• Newsreels covering wartime events
• British propaganda films
• Training and instructional films
• Popular commercial films from British and American studios
• Comedy shorts and cartoons

The projection room building at HMS Tern houses exhibits that depict what life was like on the wartime airfield. Although the main auditorium has lost its curved roof, the outline of the floor still shows where personnel watched films over 80 years ago.