The South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA) is the regional film archive for the South West of England. Established in 1993, SWFTA's core collection comprises of the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and TSW (Television South West). The archive also cares for a significant number of donated film collections, both amateur and professional, dating back to the early 1900s.
This film is part of Free
Beached Elephants
Sophie, Dumbo, Sue and Francis dip their toes in the sea.
From the collection of:
Overview
Four elephants are walked through the town of Weymouth to the beach and a welcome dunk in the sea. Sophie, Dumbo, Sue and Francis are four Asian elephants from Chipperfield’s Circus and although this is a publicity stunt, the elephants are keen to cool down. One onlooker admits she was so startled to see the elephants walking along the seafront that she didn’t brake in time and drove into the back of the car in front. Was this breaking or braking news back in the day?
Today many countries impose an outright ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses thanks in part to campaigns led by NGOs such as UK-based Born Free Foundation who set up ENDCAP, a coalition of European animal welfare organisations and wildlife professionals concerned with how wild animals are treated in captivity. Society has come to question the ethics of keeping wild animals for performance, including in advertising or on film sets where the welfare of wild animal performers, how they are kept, used and trained as well as the threat they may pose while on set, are also subjects of debate. According to recent studies, elephants may live up to half as long when kept in captivity.
Related
Watch for free
Weymouth Weymouth
Amateur film 1956 4 mins Silent Location: Weymouth
A family holiday to the popular summer retreat on the coast of Dorset.
Watch for free
Footballing Tortoise Footballing Tortoise
Current affairs 1966 1 mins Location: Weymouth
A proud owner shows his spritely tortoise playing football in Weymouth, but what are the odds?
Watch for free
His Majesty Landing at Weymouth His Majesty Landing at Weymouth
Documentary 1912 3 mins Silent Location: Weymouth
A memorable day for Weymouth as King George V and the young Prince Albert attend the 1912 Fleet Review
Watch for free
Fishy Tale Fishy Tale
Amateur film 1961 7 mins Silent Location: Weymouth
Join the Erskine family on a fishing trip in Weymouth Bay - where mackerel and thornback rays are caught against a backdrop of yachts and ferries
Watch for free
Weymouth Weymouth
Promotional 1958 23 mins Location: Weymouth
Enjoy this nostalgic look at the Dorset resort of Weymouth - complete with beachtime fun, Punch & Judy, fishing and a Beauty Queen tug-of-war.
Watch for free
Children Lost and Found Hut in Weymouth Children Lost and Found Hut in Weymouth
News 1967 3 mins Location: Weymouth
A new service is launched with a designated meeting point for lost children on Weymouth.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
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
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
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
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.