Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is part of Free
A Visit to Heathrow Airport
At a time when flying still had a touch of glamour, Heathrow's Queens Building could provide the perfect venue for a pleasant afternoon's plane spotting
From the collection of:
Overview
John P Mitchell's film captures the time when a trip to the airport to see the planes was a popular family pastime. We start outside Heathrow Airport's Queens Building, since demolished, before moving up to the viewing terraces. From here we see a wide variety of airliners arriving and departing from all over the world; from turbo-props to long-range jets. The film ends with a drive on roads and dual-carriageways around Brighton and Hove - in a Triumph Herald.
Designed by Frederick Gibberd and opened in 1955 by Her Majesty the Queen, the Queens Building housed London Airport's administrative offices as well as airline offices and a conference and business centre. It also included a roof garden and a number of viewing terraces, which became very popular with visitors as well as growing numbers of plane-spotters. A year after it was opened, the viewing terraces and roof garden made the Queens Building one of the most visited attractions in London. In 2009 the building was demolished to make way for the redevelopment of Heathrow's Terminal 2.
Related
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
Nursing in the NHS: Spanish Nurses Recruitment Nursing in the NHS: Spanish Nurses Recruitment
Promotional 2002 8 mins
Nurses needed: this early 21st century recruitment video makes fascinating viewing today.
Watch for free
The House that Moved The House that Moved
Current affairs 1961 3 mins Silent Location: Exeter
A medieval move that hits newsdesks around the world as a timber house finds a new settlement to satisfy the town planners.
Watch for free
A Visit to Heathrow Airport, Eastbourne and the Devil's Dyke A Visit to Heathrow Airport, Eastbourne and the Devil's Dyke
Amateur film 1964 9 mins Silent Location: Heathrow Airport London
Heathrow is buzzing in Ted Diamond's nostalgia-fest filmed on the terraces of the Queen's Building - featuring long gone airlines, aircraft and car parks
Watch for free
London tourist scenes & a house and garden in Bromley London tourist scenes & a house and garden in Bromley
Amateur film 1976 11 mins Silent Location: Tower Br
1970s Bromley is the venue for this enjoyable film from Tony Mitchell – with back garden frolics – in flares – as well as days out to London, Greenwich and Heathrow Airport
Watch for free
London Airport London Airport
Documentary 1949 10 mins Location: Heathrow Airport London
The construction of Heathrow airport, from the beginning in 1944
Watch for free
Canadian visitors to Chichester Canadian visitors to Chichester
Amateur film 1979 12 mins Silent Location: Chichester
An amateur film about a Canadian couple who visit the sights and changing landmarks of Chichester before returning home via Heathrow Airport.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.