…the bourgeoisie had the devilish idea of using this new plaything to distract the masses, or more exactly, to divert the attention of the working classes from their fundamental objective – the struggle against their masters. Sunk in the electrical narcotics of the cinemas, workers in various stages of hunger and the unemployed gradually unclenched their iron fists and unconsciously gave themselves up to the demoralising influence of the cinema of their masters.

– Dziga Vertov: Introduction to ‘Provisional Instructions to Kino-Eye Groups’ (1926)

Scene: a picnic during the Battle of Britain…

Celia Johnson:	What a perfectly lovely day it’s been. Lovely for us, I mean. I suppose that’s very selfish of me, isn’t it?
Noel Coward:	Extremely.
Celia Johnson:	I can’t believe it’s so dreadfully wrong to forget the war now and again. When one can – just for a little.
Noel Coward:	I think it’s very clever of you with all Hell breaking loose immediately over our defenceless heads.
Celia Johnson:	I made the most tremendous effort and pretended it wasn’t real at all. They were toys having a mock battle just to keep us amused.
Noel Coward:	That’s the most shameful confession: sheer escapism.

– In Which We Serve (1942)