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Explore archive films
See shorts and features, showing the best from the BFI, national and regional archives - including 120 years of Britain on film
Britain on Film map
Watch thousands of beautifully preserved films, capturing our lives and our stories over 120 years. Search by location to find films about places that mean the world to you.
What we're watching
Working WomenWorking Women
Open access programme197514 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
A very rare chance to see working class women, in a Women's Charter group, having an opportunity to air their strong views about gender inequality and what needs to be done to end it.
Wales. Wonderful Rugby WinWales. Wonderful Rugby Win
Non-Fiction19221 minsSilent Location: Cardiff/Caerdydd
The English Rugby team are overpowered by a dominant Welsh team at Cardiff Arms Park.
Gala Day at St Columb MajorGala Day at St Columb Major
Amateur film19303 minsSilent Location: St Columb Major
Villagers furry dance
The Body BeautifulThe Body Beautiful
Animation & Artists Moving Image199024 mins
Autobiographical account of a mother-daughter relationship, exploring beauty standards and female sexuality.
Mirror, MirrorMirror, Mirror
Drama198023 mins
This keenly observed short reflects on the duality of a modern Asian woman’s life in 80s Birmingham
Welcome SpringWelcome Spring
Amateur film19529 minsSilent
Spring comes to Scotland in the 1950s: feed playful lambs, pick a host of glorious daffodils, and harness your faithful horse to the plough in this lovely amateur colour film.
7 Towns7 Towns
Amateur film196758 mins Location: Evesham
Worcestershire's historic towns: a heritage at risk from 1960s progress.
Control AheadControl Ahead
Amateur film197317 mins Location: Aviemore
The thrills and spills of the 1973 Scottish Rally captured in the surrounds of the Cairngorms.
The House that MovedThe House that Moved
Current affairs19613 minsSilent Location: Exeter
A medieval move that hits newsdesks around the world as a timber house finds a new settlement to satisfy the town planners.
Alternative RouteAlternative Route
Amateur film197013 minsSilent Location: Whalley
Too much traffic? The Whalley-Clitheroe bypass provides the solution.
Festival of Wales in Dyserth: Pageant of the Triple WeddingFestival of Wales in Dyserth: Pageant of the Triple Wedding
Home movie19582 minsSilent Location: Dyserth
The ties that bind the Mostyns and the Parrys, established local families, are celebrated in Dyserth, Denbighshire.
Landmarks and SeagullsLandmarks and Seagulls
Home movie19554 minsSilent Location: Aberffraw
Charles F Tunnicliffe’s artist’s eye informs this footage he caught on camera of birds and bridges, clouds and snow.
Pembrokeshire, My CountyPembrokeshire, My County
Documentary196027 mins Location: St Davids / Tyddewi
Lush travelogue painting a relaxing picture of the county, from Prescelly Hills and St. David's Cathedral to Caldy Island
Edwardian FolkestoneEdwardian Folkestone
Non-Fiction19047 minsSilent Location: Folkestone
From road sweepers to rollercoasters - all life is here in this stunning portrait of Folkestone in its Edwardian heyday.
Croeso i Lanelli/Welcome to LlanelliCroeso i Lanelli/Welcome to Llanelli
Promotional197013 mins Location: Pembrey
Llanelli has much to draw businesses and visitors, as this promotional film seeks to show, from brewery to rubber factory and the wonderful scenery beyond.
Sunbury and its EnvironsSunbury and its Environs
Amateur film196216 mins Location: Sunbury
Leafy Sunbury on Thames is the perfect subject for this film made by members of the local Rotary Club - accompanied by river trips to Hampton Court and Windsor Castle
British Home Design 1935British Home Design 1935
Promotional193520 mins Location: London
A stunning promotional film presenting a picture of the huge growth of suburbia in the 1930s; featuring Art Deco and British Moderne style buildings with acres of Crittal wndows.
Prospect of SkelmersdaleProspect of Skelmersdale
Documentary197124 mins Location: Skelmersdale
Putting people at the forefront of planning.
NHS on Film
Film has the power to change lives – and even save them. No surprise, then, that moving images have played an important role in one of the world’s greatest public health services.
C.A.L.M.C.A.L.M.
Public Information Filler19971 mins
A powerful public information filler promoting CALM – a charity dedicated to preventing male suicide.
Towards a Better Life - Community HealthTowards a Better Life - Community Health
26 mins
A GP in rural Somerset and one in Kentish Town, London, reflect on “what is a General Practitioner in the 1980s?”
Something to OfferSomething to Offer
Documentary196922 mins
An interesting documentary on psychiatric provision, set at a Plymouth day hospital and originally produced for nursing recruitment.
New Way of CaringNew Way of Caring
Documentary197321 mins
An in-house training film designed to explain the NHS' 1973 reorganisation to its staff.
Computer DoctorComputer Doctor
19745 mins
Reporter Michèle Brown visits London's Western Hospital, where a computer is on the medical staff to help doctors with routine doctor\patient consultations.
Blood Donor : Glenda and ErnieBlood Donor : Glenda and Ernie
Public Information Filler19813 mins
Glenda Jackson makes a song and a dance about giving blood – in a wise-cracking double act with Ernie Wise.
Featured collections
Edwardian Britain on Film
Welcome to a lost world. These amazing films, lost for nearly a century, offer something close to time travel - a journey into the Britain of our great grandparents, courtesy of filmmakers Mitchell and Kenyon.
Women with a Movie Camera
Great films incite, others vex, a few elate. From pre-war to the present day, these remarkable works by international women directors do all that and more.
Powers of Persuasion
A sneak preview of a major new collection tracing the history of British screen advertising.