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Records ManagementRecords Managementat theat theMoviesMovies

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19841984

The The OrwelianOrwelian classicclassic

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A Civil ActionA Civil Action

The records from The records from TravoltaTravolta’’ss case are handed over to the case are handed over to the Environmental Protection Agency. A forkEnvironmental Protection Agency. A fork--lift moves lift moves

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

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A Few Good MenA Few Good Men

The tower chiefs logs for Guantanamo Bay and Andrew The tower chiefs logs for Guantanamo Bay and Andrew AirforceAirforce base are used as evidence. These should log a base are used as evidence. These should log a

flight that took place at a certain but Colonel Jessup flight that took place at a certain but Colonel Jessup somehow has them amended to save him from getting somehow has them amended to save him from getting

into trouble.into trouble.

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Alien 3Alien 3

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

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

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All The PresidentAll The President’’s Mens Men

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

the breakthe break--in at the Watergate building, leading to the downfall of Nixon. in at the Watergate building, leading to the downfall of Nixon. They investigate the destruction of official records being destrThey investigate the destruction of official records being destroyed without oyed without

authorisation to cover up the conspiracy. Cringe as Dustin Hoffmauthorisation to cover up the conspiracy. Cringe as Dustin Hoffman goes an goes into a government record office and is brought some volumes by ainto a government record office and is brought some volumes by a very very nerdy nerdy searchroomsearchroom assistant. He then tears out the pages he needs as assistant. He then tears out the pages he needs as

evidence, when the assistant isn't looking.evidence, when the assistant isn't looking.

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American American SplendorSplendor

The main character, Harvey The main character, Harvey PekarPekar, is a hospital Records , is a hospital Records Manager and partManager and part--time comic script writer. Many of the time comic script writer. Many of the

scenes are set in his *tidy* file room.scenes are set in his *tidy* file room.

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Being John Being John MalkovichMalkovich

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

brain of JM via a portal hidden behind a filing cabinet.brain of JM via a portal hidden behind a filing cabinet.

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BladerunnerBladerunner

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

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Blue CollarBlue Collar

Paul Paul Shrader'sShrader's film where factory workers Harvey Keitel, film where factory workers Harvey Keitel, YaphetYaphet Koto and Richard Pryor raid their trade union Koto and Richard Pryor raid their trade union

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

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Bruce AlmightyBruce Almighty

Jim Carey demonstrates just how much you can fit into a filing cJim Carey demonstrates just how much you can fit into a filing cabinet. abinet. He also has a records problem in managing prayer requests. The He also has a records problem in managing prayer requests. The

prayers have built up and he needs a system to manage them. Firsprayers have built up and he needs a system to manage them. First t he tries stickhe tries stick--it notes, then filing cabinets, and finally opts for an it notes, then filing cabinets, and finally opts for an

email system on a computer called Yahweh.email system on a computer called Yahweh.

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Carlton BrownCarlton Brownof the FOof the FO

Classic 1950's comedy featuring Terry Thomas and Peter Sellers. Classic 1950's comedy featuring Terry Thomas and Peter Sellers. The The Foreign Office receives a letter from a colony they had completeForeign Office receives a letter from a colony they had completely ly forgotten about and have to ring down to Archives to retrieve itforgotten about and have to ring down to Archives to retrieve its s

papers. The Archives/RM unit consists of cobweb encrusted papers. The Archives/RM unit consists of cobweb encrusted cupboards with mice (located in, you guessed it, the basement) cupboards with mice (located in, you guessed it, the basement)

looked after by an ancient, shuffling records manager/Archivist looked after by an ancient, shuffling records manager/Archivist --how not to keep your semihow not to keep your semi--current records!current records!

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ChinatownChinatown

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

while the clerk is not looking.while the clerk is not looking.

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Class ActionClass Action

This 1990 movie class features Gene This 1990 movie class features Gene HackmanHackman. The film centres around . The film centres around evidence for a court case against a motor firm. Many scenes in evidence for a court case against a motor firm. Many scenes in a a

Record Centre & lots of records being dumped on solicitors to maRecord Centre & lots of records being dumped on solicitors to mask sk "the "the truth"!Ittruth"!It includes a strong document production/litigation theme includes a strong document production/litigation theme

with tons of Iron Mountain boxes and the line by an elderly witnwith tons of Iron Mountain boxes and the line by an elderly witness ess who said that he didn't have the document who said that he didn't have the document ---- to get it you have to go to get it you have to go

to the mountain 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 how a research into records versus paper records and how a

destruction schedule is not always respected.destruction schedule is not always respected.

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Cold CaseCold Case

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

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Desk SetDesk Set

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

TV network's research department. TV network's research department.

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Die Hard 2Die Hard 2

Bruce Willis is looking for the plans for the airport cable Bruce Willis is looking for the plans for the airport cable raceways to get under the runway and he encounters raceways to get under the runway and he encounters

the "file room" with the drawings in rolls "filed" in the "file room" with the drawings in rolls "filed" in garbage cans...garbage cans...

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DisclosureDisclosure

The film version of Michael Crichton's novel in which the electThe film version of Michael Crichton's novel in which the electronic records of the computer ronic records of the computer company in which the action is set are visualised in their expercompany in which the action is set are visualised in their experimental virtual reality imental virtual reality

environment as a series of folders in vertical filing cabinets, environment as a series of folders in vertical filing cabinets, the drawers of which are the drawers of which are marked with topic labels and open on voice command. When the hemarked with topic labels and open on voice command. When the hero (Michael Douglas) ro (Michael Douglas)

enters the virtual reality space looking for 'files' he watches enters the virtual reality space looking for 'files' he watches them physically disappear as the them physically disappear as the evil hard woman who is trying to destroy his career (evil hard woman who is trying to destroy his career (DemiDemi Moore) sits at her computer in Moore) sits at her computer in

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

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

been maliciously excluded.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 Erin BrokovitchBrokovitch

The story is littered with references to the use and abuse of The story is littered with references to the use and abuse of records (and very disorganised file rooms). and provides a records (and very disorganised file rooms). and provides a

very useful (negative) illustration of the issues around very useful (negative) illustration of the issues around disclosure and retrieval of relevant records.disclosure and retrieval of relevant records.

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Enemy of the StateEnemy of the State

This film featuring Gene This film featuring Gene HackmanHackman and and DenzilDenzil Washington included the Washington included the capture of a murder scene on a video used to record bird activitcapture of a murder scene on a video used to record bird activity y --

demonstrating that over the lifecycle of the record, the contentdemonstrating that over the lifecycle of the record, the content may may have more value than that of original intent! Stolen identities have more value than that of original intent! Stolen identities and and

lots of Data Protection type issues lots of Data Protection type issues -- a good illustration of how a good illustration of how records can be manipulated.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 (451A bookless society where all books are burned (451’’F being F being the temperature at which they catch fire)the temperature at which they catch 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 Minas Gandalf goes to search some old documents in the Minas TirithTirith archives, where he sits in a gloomy, dank room (a archives, where he sits in a gloomy, dank room (a

basement probably!), surrounded by piles of dust and basement probably!), surrounded by piles of dust and thousands of lit candles.thousands of lit candles.

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GoldeneyeGoldeneye

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

particularly spectacular fashion.particularly spectacular fashion.

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Glengarry Glen RossGlengarry Glen Ross

Having your records stolen by a member of your own workforce is Having your records stolen by a member of your own workforce is quite a trying experience. The acting by Al quite a trying experience. The acting by Al PacinoPacino, Jack Lemmon, , Jack Lemmon, Kevin Spacey and Alec Baldwin is a Kevin Spacey and Alec Baldwin is a masterclassmasterclass. You also get the . You also get the

atmosphere of a high tension office at work or ordinary people atmosphere of a high tension office at work or ordinary people under extraordinary pressure.under extraordinary pressure.

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HannibalHannibal

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

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

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HopscotchHopscotch

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

tracking of files going out there either!tracking of files going out there either!

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In The Name of In The Name of The FatherThe Father

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

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

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InsiderInsider

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

based on real events, but the film shows ordinary people workingbased on real events, but the film shows ordinary people workingunder extraordinary circumstances. The fax machine plays a vitalunder extraordinary circumstances. The fax machine plays a vitalrole in this film as does email and the tension generated aroundrole 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 store by Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce destroy a records store by fighting after one of them has accessed some of the fighting after one of them has accessed some of the

records.Guyrecords.Guy Pearce also manages to find lots of Pearce also manages to find lots of information from files languishing in the basement.information from files languishing in 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 Kevin BrownlowBrownlow’’ss restoration of this silent film classic has a restoration of this silent film classic has a scene where the dramatic destruction of the state scene where the dramatic destruction of the state

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

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National TreasureNational Treasure

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

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Office SpaceOffice Space

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

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

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

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

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One Foot inOne Foot inthe Gravethe Grave

Classic British TV sitcom Classic British TV sitcom -- PippaPippa sends Mr sends Mr MeldrewMeldrew a copy of a copy of Patrick's "Diary", instead of a copy of the letter to the "DairyPatrick's "Diary", instead of a copy of the letter to the "Dairy", ",

revealing unfortunate confidential information and revealing unfortunate confidential information and demonstrating the need for accurate data entry and security demonstrating the need for accurate data entry and security

checks. In another episode, Victor fills out an order form checks. In another episode, Victor fills out an order form incorrectly and ends up with 263 garden gnomes!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 that A deed (which has been misfiled and lost!) proves that Pimlico belongs to the Duke of Burgundy rather than to Pimlico belongs to the Duke of Burgundy rather than to

the British Crown.the British Crown.

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Presumed InnocentPresumed Innocent

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

Mountain box!Mountain box!

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SerendipitySerendipity

John John CusackCusack traces Kate traces Kate BeckinsaleBeckinsale using the credit card using the credit card records of a department store.records of a department store.

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Spy GameSpy Game

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

chutzpah to save Brad Pitt.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 natObi Wan takes Luke Skywalker to try to find records of alien nations which ions which have already been making clones. The lady archivist has sleek sihave already been making clones. The lady archivist has sleek silver hair lver hair swept up into a bun and glasses on the end of her nose and is veswept up into a bun and glasses on the end of her nose and is very wise ry wise and serene!. Obi Wan Kenobi looks at the Jedi Archives for a staand serene!. Obi Wan Kenobi looks at the Jedi Archives for a star system r system

((KaminoKamino) with no success and the archivist foolishly says to him someth) with no success and the archivist foolishly says to him something ing along the lines of "If the system is not in the archives, it doealong the lines of "If the system is not in the archives, it does not exist". s not exist".

We all know that no records system is perfect! All the files wWe all know that no records system is perfect! All the files were glowing ere glowing electronic thing's on shelves going miles high up into the ceilielectronic thing's on shelves going miles high up into the ceiling.ng.

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

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

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The The IpcressIpcress FileFile

Michael Michael CaineCaine tracking down a missing scientist plus his tracking down a missing scientist plus his file. Proper file keeping in this film with lots of grey file. Proper file keeping in this film with lots of grey

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

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The PackageThe Package

Major Sergeant Gene Major Sergeant Gene HackmanHackman has to visit his exhas to visit his ex--wife Col. 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 issues to Carrying information and records management issues to the nth degree!the nth degree!

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The RainmakerThe Rainmaker

Aside from the 'Stupid, Stupid, Stupid' letter, there is the Aside from the 'Stupid, Stupid, Stupid' letter, there is the missing annex from the claim handling file that requires missing annex from the claim handling file that requires

the denying of all insurance claims.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 research on Considers what one can do with a little bit of research on Lexis Lexis NexisNexis™™ and illustrates the dangers of allowing and illustrates the dangers of allowing documents to fall into the hands of public officials.documents to fall into the hands of public officials.

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The RingThe Ring

Noah Clay (Martin Henderson) gains access to a living Noah Clay (Martin Henderson) gains access to a living person's medical files through deception.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 impossiThe library is arranged in such a way as to make it near impossible ble (unless you're the librarian) to get into, find your way around (unless you're the librarian) to get into, find your way around or any or any

books or information that you might want, and then get out of itbooks or information that you might want, and then get out of it. . The book's description of the library is somewhat better than thThe book's description of the library is somewhat better than that in at in

the film that was made of the book, but even so, the film makes the film that was made of the book, but even so, the film makes clear what a labyrinth it was.clear what a labyrinth it was.

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Yes MinisterYes Minister

Various mentions in this classic British sitcom, for example Various mentions in this classic British sitcom, for example episode 3.3 episode 3.3 -- The Skeleton in the Cupboard: The 30The Skeleton in the Cupboard: The 30--yearyear--rule is rule is

about to reveal the name of the young Civil Servant who made a about to reveal the name of the young Civil Servant who made a complete mess of a defence contract. complete mess of a 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 JISCmembers of the JISC--mail Records mail Records

Management email forum:Management email forum:

Paul DullerPaul Duller Peter Peter KurileczKurilecz Grahame GouldGrahame GouldLarry MedinaLarry Medina RhianRhian PhillipsPhillips Tony MayTony May

Peter Peter KibbyKibby Gillian TaylorGillian Taylor Lawrence Lawrence SerewiczSerewiczStephen ClarkStephen Clark Carla Carla DunsmoreDunsmore Penny BakerPenny Baker

Graeme HawleyGraeme Hawley Michael HillMichael Hill Janet YoungJanet YoungSimon LockSimon Lock Phil Phil OakmanOakman Sophie HoultonSophie Houlton

Christopher JackChristopher Jack David David ThewThew Peter EmmersonPeter EmmersonRichard Richard ShakeshaftShakeshaft Rob DawsonRob Dawson Sara Lee BranchSara Lee BranchElizabeth HughesElizabeth Hughes Jane Jane KimberKimber Janet Janet JuricaJuricaSarah EmmersonSarah Emmerson Robert MelvilleRobert Melville Teresa Teresa MaleyMaleyEmma Emma JarviewJarview Adam PopeAdam Pope CatheyCathey WebbWebb

Catherine Catherine RedfernRedfern

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.ukwww.bbc.co.uk & & www.bbcprograms.comwww.bbcprograms.com

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Slideshow designed by:

Rammell Consulting“Organisational Effectiveness throughRecords & Information Management”

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