This film is part of Free
One Summer in Somerset
Hitch a ride with a glamorous blonde in a convertible sports car, and take a spin around the seaside town of Weston-Super-Mare and its surroundings.
Overview
Ah, the good old days - when hitchhiking and driving without a seatbelt were as safe as houses, and the average English seaside resort town was "clean, spacious, with the air of distinctive elegance". Sceptical? Then follow the West Country wanderings of one broke Aussie student, who thumbs a lift to sunny Weston-Super-Mare in his quest for a good time (and a tour of local historical monuments), and finds himself a surprisingly glamorous travelling companion.
The technique of building a mini-fiction into a travelogue profile of an area wasn't uncommon, and is quietly effective here. Janet in her sports car and our Australian friend may not be the most convincing characters in cinema history, but the jaunty narrative carries us through this promotional film for the local area more effectively than an objective voiceover might have done.
Related
Weston Super Mare Holiday Report Weston Super Mare Holiday Report
News 1978 3 mins Location: Weston-super-Mare
It's Birmingham week at Weston super Mare as ATV go on the trail of Brummies in the South West.
A Spring Holiday A Spring Holiday
Home movie 1935 9 mins Silent Location: Evesham
A leisurely holiday to the South West of England via Evesham and Weston Super Mare.
The Weston-super-Mare Donkeys The Weston-super-Mare Donkeys
News 1964 1 mins Silent Location: Weston-super-Mare
Donkeys on the beach receive new hats for the summer season.
Paddle Steamer the Bristol Queen Paddle Steamer the Bristol Queen
News 1964 7 mins Location: Weston-super-Mare
The steam whistle sounds the ‘all aboard' for a coastal cruise from Cardiff to Weston-super-Mare
Princess Margaret and Lord Snowden visit the Westcountry Princess Margaret and Lord Snowden visit the Westcountry
News 1965 3 mins Silent Location: Weston-super-Mare
Earl and Countess Snowden have a go on a Butlins joyride.
Pier Construction Work, Weston-super-Mare Pier Construction Work, Weston-super-Mare
Non-Fiction 1907 2 mins Silent Location: Weston-super-Mare
A 500-yard extension to the Grand Pier in Weston-Super-Mare is underway as workers gather the new materials.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2023 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2023 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.