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Records ManagementRecords Managementat theat theMoviesMovies

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19841984

The Orwelian classicThe Orwelian classic

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A Civil ActionA Civil Action

The records from Travolta’s case are handed over to The records from Travolta’s case are handed over to the Environmental Protection Agency. A fork-lift the Environmental Protection Agency. A fork-lift

moves records in a warehouse full of such moves records in a warehouse full of such documents.documents.

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A Few Good MenA Few Good Men

The tower chiefs logs for Guantanamo Bay and The tower chiefs logs for Guantanamo Bay and Andrew Airforce base are used as evidence. Andrew Airforce base are used as evidence. These should log a flight that took place at a These should log a flight that took place at a

certain but Colonel Jessup somehow has them certain but Colonel Jessup somehow has them amended to save him from getting into trouble.amended to save him from getting into trouble.

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Alien 3Alien 3

The plots centre around the mining company’s The plots centre around the mining company’s secret defence contract agenda, which Ripley secret defence contract agenda, which Ripley

accesses electronically from the ship's records accesses electronically from the ship's records system. She also accesses the company system. She also accesses the company

personnel files.personnel files.

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All The President’s MenAll The President’s Men

This film from 1976 stars Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, as This film from 1976 stars Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, as reporters from the Washington Post who discover a link between the reporters from the Washington Post who discover a link between the

Whitehouse and the break-in at the Watergate building, leading to Whitehouse and the break-in at the Watergate building, leading to the downfall of Nixon. They investigate the destruction of official the downfall of Nixon. They investigate the destruction of official

records being destroyed without authorisation to cover up the records being destroyed without authorisation to cover up the conspiracy. Cringe as Dustin Hoffman goes into a government record conspiracy. Cringe as Dustin Hoffman goes into a government record

office and is brought some volumes by a very nerdy searchroom office and is brought some volumes by a very nerdy searchroom assistant. He then tears out the pages he needs as evidence, when assistant. He then tears out the pages he needs as evidence, when

the assistant isn't looking.the assistant isn't looking.

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American SplendorAmerican Splendor

The main character, Harvey Pekar, is a hospital The main character, Harvey Pekar, is a hospital Records Manager and part-time comic script Records Manager and part-time comic script

writer. Many of the scenes are set in his *tidy* file writer. Many of the scenes are set in his *tidy* file room.room.

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Being John MalkovichBeing John Malkovich

This included a records centre with an unusually low This included a records centre with an unusually low ceiling height (cheap rental value), where you ceiling height (cheap rental value), where you

could access the brain of JM via a portal hidden could access the brain of JM via a portal hidden behind a filing cabinet.behind a filing cabinet.

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BladerunnerBladerunner

Are we human because we keep records? Will we Are we human because we keep records? Will we have biometric records to prove that we are have biometric records to prove that we are

human?human?

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Blue CollarBlue Collar

Paul Shrader's film where factory workers Harvey Paul Shrader's film where factory workers Harvey Keitel, Yaphet Koto and Richard Pryor raid their Keitel, Yaphet Koto and Richard Pryor raid their

trade union office for money and find records trade union office for money and find records relating to the unions involvement with the mafia.relating to the unions involvement with the mafia.

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Bruce AlmightyBruce Almighty

Jim Carey demonstrates just how much you can fit into a filing Jim Carey demonstrates just how much you can fit into a filing cabinet. He also has a records problem in managing prayer cabinet. He also has a records problem in managing prayer requests. The prayers have built up and he needs a system requests. The prayers have built up and he needs a system

to manage them. First he tries stick-it notes, then filing to manage them. First he tries stick-it notes, then filing cabinets, and finally opts for an email system on a cabinets, and finally opts for an email system on a

computer called Yahweh.computer called Yahweh.

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Carlton BrownCarlton Brownof the FOof the FO

Classic 1950's comedy featuring Terry Thomas and Peter Classic 1950's comedy featuring Terry Thomas and Peter Sellers. The Foreign Office receives a letter from a colony Sellers. The Foreign Office receives a letter from a colony

they had completely forgotten about and have to ring down they had completely forgotten about and have to ring down to Archives to retrieve its papers. The Archives/RM unit to Archives to retrieve its papers. The Archives/RM unit

consists of cobweb encrusted cupboards with mice (located consists of cobweb encrusted cupboards with mice (located in, you guessed it, the basement) looked after by an ancient, in, you guessed it, the basement) looked after by an ancient,

shuffling records manager/Archivist - how not to keep your shuffling records manager/Archivist - how not to keep your semi-current records!semi-current records!

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ChinatownChinatown

Jack Nicholson goes to the records office, borrows a Jack Nicholson goes to the records office, borrows a ruler from the records clerk, and tears off a ruler from the records clerk, and tears off a

property deed while the clerk is not looking.property deed while the clerk is not looking.

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Class ActionClass Action

This 1990 movie class features Gene Hackman. The film centres This 1990 movie class features Gene Hackman. The film centres around evidence for a court case against a motor firm. Many around evidence for a court case against a motor firm. Many scenes in a Record Centre & lots of records being dumped on scenes in a Record Centre & lots of records being dumped on

solicitors to mask "the truth"!It includes a strong document solicitors to mask "the truth"!It includes a strong document production/litigation theme with tons of Iron Mountain boxes production/litigation theme with tons of Iron Mountain boxes

and the line by an elderly witness who said that he didn't have and the line by an elderly witness who said that he didn't have the document -- to get it you have to go to the mountain -- the document -- to get it you have to go to the mountain --

Iron Mountain!.Iron Mountain!.

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Clear and PresentClear and PresentDangerDanger

Demonstrates the difference between computerized Demonstrates the difference between computerized research into records versus paper records and research into records versus paper records and

how a destruction schedule is not always how a destruction schedule is not always respected.respected.

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Cold CaseCold Case

TV series pulling out old case files TV series pulling out old case files and not using "Out Cards"!and not using "Out Cards"!

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Desk SetDesk Set

Two extremely strong personalities, Spencer Tracy Two extremely strong personalities, Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, clash over the and Katharine Hepburn, clash over the

computerization of a TV network's research computerization of a TV network's research department. department.

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Die Hard 2Die Hard 2

Bruce Willis is looking for the plans for the airport Bruce Willis is looking for the plans for the airport cable raceways to get under the runway and he cable raceways to get under the runway and he encounters the "file room" with the drawings in encounters the "file room" with the drawings in

rolls "filed" in garbage cans...rolls "filed" in garbage cans...

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DisclosureDisclosure

The film version of Michael Crichton's novel in which the electronic records of the The film version of Michael Crichton's novel in which the electronic records of the computer company in which the action is set are visualised in their experimental computer company in which the action is set are visualised in their experimental

virtual reality environment as a series of folders in vertical filing cabinets, the virtual reality environment as a series of folders in vertical filing cabinets, the drawers of which are marked with topic labels and open on voice command. drawers of which are marked with topic labels and open on voice command.

When the hero (Michael Douglas) enters the virtual reality space looking for 'files' When the hero (Michael Douglas) enters the virtual reality space looking for 'files' he watches them physically disappear as the evil hard woman who is trying to he watches them physically disappear as the evil hard woman who is trying to destroy his career (Demi Moore) sits at her computer in real time and deletes destroy his career (Demi Moore) sits at her computer in real time and deletes

them. He is able to recover the crucial deleted e-mails and other documents he them. He is able to recover the crucial deleted e-mails and other documents he needs by having them faxed to him by the recipient in the firm's Asian needs by having them faxed to him by the recipient in the firm's Asian

manufacturing plant.manufacturing plant.This gives him a hardcopy product and by passes the firm's e-mail system from This gives him a hardcopy product and by passes the firm's e-mail system from

which he has been maliciously excluded.which he has been maliciously excluded.

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Dodge BallDodge Ball

A brief mention of Freedom of InformationA brief mention of Freedom of Information

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Erin BrokovitchErin Brokovitch

The story is littered with references to the use and The story is littered with references to the use and abuse of records (and very disorganised file abuse of records (and very disorganised file

rooms). and provides a very useful (negative) rooms). and provides a very useful (negative) illustration of the issues around disclosure and illustration of the issues around disclosure and

retrieval of relevant records.retrieval of relevant records.

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Enemy of the StateEnemy of the State

This film featuring Gene Hackman and Denzil Washington included This film featuring Gene Hackman and Denzil Washington included the capture of a murder scene on a video used to record bird the capture of a murder scene on a video used to record bird

activity - demonstrating that over the lifecycle of the record, the activity - demonstrating that over the lifecycle of the record, the content may have more value than that of original intent! Stolen content may have more value than that of original intent! Stolen

identities and lots of Data Protection type issues - a good identities and lots of Data Protection type issues - a good illustration of how records can be manipulated.illustration of how records can be manipulated.

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EnigmaEnigma

Record access issues and secrets abound.Record access issues and secrets abound.

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Fahrenheit 451Fahrenheit 451

A bookless society where all books are burned A bookless society where all books are burned (451’F being the temperature at which they catch (451’F being the temperature at which they catch

fire)fire)

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FatherlandFatherland

Old Nazi records are key to the story.Old Nazi records are key to the story.

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Fellowship of the RingFellowship of the Ring

Gandalf goes to search some old documents in the Gandalf goes to search some old documents in the Minas Tirith archives, where he sits in a gloomy, Minas Tirith archives, where he sits in a gloomy, dank room (a basement probably!), surrounded dank room (a basement probably!), surrounded

by piles of dust and thousands of lit candles.by piles of dust and thousands of lit candles.

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GoldeneyeGoldeneye

James Bond runs amok in a Russian filing room and James Bond runs amok in a Russian filing room and the unsecured shelves and their contents go the unsecured shelves and their contents go

flying in particularly spectacular fashion.flying in particularly spectacular fashion.

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Glengarry Glen RossGlengarry Glen Ross

Having your records stolen by a member of your own Having your records stolen by a member of your own workforce is quite a trying experience. The acting by Al workforce is quite a trying experience. The acting by Al

Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Kevin Spacey and Alec Baldwin is a Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Kevin Spacey and Alec Baldwin is a masterclass. You also get the atmosphere of a high tension masterclass. You also get the atmosphere of a high tension

office at work or ordinary people under extraordinary office at work or ordinary people under extraordinary pressure.pressure.

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HannibalHannibal

Patients files have been dumped in a filing cabinet Patients files have been dumped in a filing cabinet in the old, abandoned hospital, providing Barney in the old, abandoned hospital, providing Barney

with an opportunity to sell Hannibal Lecter's with an opportunity to sell Hannibal Lecter's medical files on the internet.medical files on the internet.

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HopscotchHopscotch

Walter Matthau, a retiring CIA/FBI government Walter Matthau, a retiring CIA/FBI government agent, who successfully manages to shred his file agent, who successfully manages to shred his file while the records manager is distracted with talk while the records manager is distracted with talk of baseball. No formal tracking of files going out of baseball. No formal tracking of files going out

there either!there either!

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In The Name of In The Name of The FatherThe Father

A records clerk inadvertently gives the barrister A records clerk inadvertently gives the barrister (Emma Thomson) the wrong file, the one that (Emma Thomson) the wrong file, the one that

reveals the suppression of evidence that reveals the suppression of evidence that resulted in a miscarriage of justice.resulted in a miscarriage of justice.

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InsiderInsider

Russell Crowe walks out of his office with confidential information Russell Crowe walks out of his office with confidential information relating to the addictiveness of cigarettes. This story is loosely relating to the addictiveness of cigarettes. This story is loosely

based on real events, but the film shows ordinary people working based on real events, but the film shows ordinary people working under extraordinary circumstances. The fax machine plays a vital under extraordinary circumstances. The fax machine plays a vital

role in this film as does email and the tension generated around role in this film as does email and the tension generated around waiting for information to come through is palpable.waiting for information to come through is palpable.

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LA ConfidentialLA Confidential

Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce destroy a records Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce destroy a records store by fighting after one of them has accessed store by fighting after one of them has accessed some of the records.Guy Pearce also manages to some of the records.Guy Pearce also manages to

find lots of information from files languishing in find lots of information from files languishing in the basement.the basement.

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Minority ReportMinority Report

A records management system of the future.A records management system of the future.

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NapoleonNapoleon

Kevin Brownlow’s restoration of this silent film Kevin Brownlow’s restoration of this silent film classic has a scene where the dramatic classic has a scene where the dramatic

destruction of the state records is symbolic of the destruction of the state records is symbolic of the fall of the old regime.fall of the old regime.

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National TreasureNational Treasure

Featuring the US National Archive and the Featuring the US National Archive and the Declaration of Independence.Declaration of Independence.

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Office SpaceOffice Space

One of the minor characters is a records clerk responsible for collation and One of the minor characters is a records clerk responsible for collation and distribution of reports. During a reorganization, consultants discover that he distribution of reports. During a reorganization, consultants discover that he

was actually laid off, never told, and continued to be paid for 3 years.was actually laid off, never told, and continued to be paid for 3 years.Rather than inform the poor records clerk that he has been sacked, the Rather than inform the poor records clerk that he has been sacked, the

consultants just remove him from the payroll. To add insult to injury, the consultants just remove him from the payroll. To add insult to injury, the records clerk's office is moved 3 times finally resulting in him being records clerk's office is moved 3 times finally resulting in him being

relocated to the basement with no lights & a can of bug spray to control the relocated to the basement with no lights & a can of bug spray to control the roaches.roaches.

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One Foot inOne Foot inthe Gravethe Grave

Classic British TV sitcom - Pippa sends Mr Meldrew a copy of Classic British TV sitcom - Pippa sends Mr Meldrew a copy of Patrick's "Diary", instead of a copy of the letter to the Patrick's "Diary", instead of a copy of the letter to the

"Dairy", revealing unfortunate confidential information and "Dairy", revealing unfortunate confidential information and demonstrating the need for accurate data entry and demonstrating the need for accurate data entry and

security checks. In another episode, Victor fills out an order security checks. In another episode, Victor fills out an order form incorrectly and ends up with 263 garden gnomes!form incorrectly and ends up with 263 garden gnomes!

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Passport to PimlicoPassport to Pimlico

A deed (which has been misfiled and lost!) proves A deed (which has been misfiled and lost!) proves that Pimlico belongs to the Duke of Burgundy that Pimlico belongs to the Duke of Burgundy

rather than to the British Crown.rather than to the British Crown.

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Presumed InnocentPresumed Innocent

Harrison Ford plays an attorney accused of Harrison Ford plays an attorney accused of murdering a colleague and is seen packing murdering a colleague and is seen packing

files into an Iron Mountain box!files into an Iron Mountain box!

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SerendipitySerendipity

John Cusack traces Kate Beckinsale using the credit John Cusack traces Kate Beckinsale using the credit card records of a department store.card records of a department store.

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Spy GameSpy Game

Robert Redford uses information systems, maps, Robert Redford uses information systems, maps, press leaks, knowledge of records management, press leaks, knowledge of records management,

and amazing chutzpah to save Brad Pitt.and amazing chutzpah to save Brad Pitt.

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Star Wars Episode II –Star Wars Episode II –The Attack of the ClonesThe Attack of the Clones

Obi Wan takes Luke Skywalker to try to find records of alien nations Obi Wan takes Luke Skywalker to try to find records of alien nations which have already been making clones. The lady archivist has sleek which have already been making clones. The lady archivist has sleek

silver hair swept up into a bun and glasses on the end of her nose silver hair swept up into a bun and glasses on the end of her nose and is very wise and serene!. Obi Wan Kenobi looks at the Jedi and is very wise and serene!. Obi Wan Kenobi looks at the Jedi

Archives for a star system (Kamino) with no success and the Archives for a star system (Kamino) with no success and the archivist foolishly says to him something along the lines of "If the archivist foolishly says to him something along the lines of "If the

system is not in the archives, it does not exist". We all know that no system is not in the archives, it does not exist". We all know that no records system is perfect! All the files were glowing electronic records system is perfect! All the files were glowing electronic

thing's on shelves going miles high up into the ceiling.thing's on shelves going miles high up into the ceiling.

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The ClientThe Client

The John Grisham movie with Susan Sarandon, who The John Grisham movie with Susan Sarandon, who accesses her personal records.accesses her personal records.

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The FirmThe Firm

Tom Cruise gets the bad guy through his billing Tom Cruise gets the bad guy through his billing records. Lots of lovely photocopying of records. Lots of lovely photocopying of

documents in the Caribbean that nails the documents in the Caribbean that nails the baddies for money laundering.baddies for money laundering.

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The Ipcress FileThe Ipcress File

Michael Caine tracking down a missing scientist Michael Caine tracking down a missing scientist plus his file. Proper file keeping in this film with plus his file. Proper file keeping in this film with

lots of grey metal filing cabinets regularly lots of grey metal filing cabinets regularly attended to by a chain smoking secretary.attended to by a chain smoking secretary.

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The PackageThe Package

Major Sergeant Gene Hackman has to visit his ex-wife Col. Major Sergeant Gene Hackman has to visit his ex-wife Col. Joanna Cassidy who is in charge of military personnel Joanna Cassidy who is in charge of military personnel records to track down the military files on Tommy Lee records to track down the military files on Tommy Lee Jones whom he is chasing. The records management Jones whom he is chasing. The records management

section is very clean and efficient (naturally!).section is very clean and efficient (naturally!).

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The MatrixThe Matrix(1, 2, and 3)(1, 2, and 3)

Carrying information and records management Carrying information and records management issues to the nth degree!issues to the nth degree!

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The RainmakerThe Rainmaker

Aside from the 'Stupid, Stupid, Stupid' letter, there Aside from the 'Stupid, Stupid, Stupid' letter, there is the missing annex from the claim handling file is the missing annex from the claim handling file that requires the denying of all insurance claims.that requires the denying of all insurance claims.

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The Pelican BriefThe Pelican Brief

Considers what one can do with a little bit of Considers what one can do with a little bit of research on Lexis Nexisresearch on Lexis Nexis™™ and illustrates the and illustrates the

dangers of allowing documents to fall into the dangers of allowing documents to fall into the hands of public officials.hands of public officials.

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The RingThe Ring

Noah Clay (Martin Henderson) gains access to a Noah Clay (Martin Henderson) gains access to a living person's medical files through deception.living person's medical files through deception.

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The Name of the RoseThe Name of the Rose

The library is arranged in such a way as to make it near impossible The library is arranged in such a way as to make it near impossible (unless you're the librarian) to get into, find your way around or (unless you're the librarian) to get into, find your way around or any books or information that you might want, and then get out any books or information that you might want, and then get out

of it. The book's description of the library is somewhat better of it. The book's description of the library is somewhat better than that in the film that was made of the book, but even so, the than that in the film that was made of the book, but even so, the

film makes clear what a labyrinth it was.film makes clear what a labyrinth it was.

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Yes MinisterYes Minister

Various mentions in this classic British sitcom, for Various mentions in this classic British sitcom, for example episode 3.3 - The Skeleton in the Cupboard: example episode 3.3 - The Skeleton in the Cupboard:

The 30-year-rule is about to reveal the name of the The 30-year-rule is about to reveal the name of the young Civil Servant who made a complete mess of a young Civil Servant who made a complete mess of a

defence contract. defence contract.

For some reason Sir Humphrey seems nervous ....For some reason Sir Humphrey seems nervous ....

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With thanks and acknowledgements to With thanks and acknowledgements to members of the JISC-mail Records members of the JISC-mail Records

Management email forum:Management email forum:

Paul DullerPaul Duller Peter KurileczPeter Kurilecz Grahame GouldGrahame GouldLarry MedinaLarry Medina Rhian PhillipsRhian Phillips Tony MayTony May

Peter KibbyPeter Kibby Gillian TaylorGillian Taylor Lawrence SerewiczLawrence SerewiczStephen ClarkStephen Clark Carla DunsmoreCarla Dunsmore Penny BakerPenny BakerGraeme HawleyGraeme Hawley Michael HillMichael Hill Janet YoungJanet YoungSimon LockSimon Lock Phil OakmanPhil Oakman Sophie HoultonSophie Houlton

Christopher JackChristopher Jack David ThewDavid Thew Peter EmmersonPeter EmmersonRichard ShakeshaftRichard Shakeshaft Rob DawsonRob Dawson Sara Lee BranchSara Lee Branch

Elizabeth HughesElizabeth Hughes Jane KimberJane Kimber Janet JuricaJanet JuricaSarah EmmersonSarah Emmerson Robert MelvilleRobert Melville Teresa MaleyTeresa MaleyEmma JarviewEmma Jarview Adam PopeAdam Pope Cathey WebbCathey Webb

Catherine RedfernCatherine Redfern

Images courtesy of:Images courtesy of:The Internet Movie DatabaseThe Internet Movie Database

www.imdb.comwww.imdb.com

The British Broadcasting CorporationThe British Broadcasting Corporationwww.bbc.co.uk & www.bbcprograms.comwww.bbc.co.uk & www.bbcprograms.com

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Slideshow designed by:

Rammell Consulting“Organisational Effectiveness throughRecords & Information Management”

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