This film is part of Free
Beautiful Panorama of Railway Ride from St. German to Millbay (1901)
Views from an Edwardian railway trip, filmed just east of the Devon-Cornwall border and over the Tamar.
Overview
Mitchell and Kenyon rarely travelled south of the Wash. This Great Western Railway footage, initially screened in Plymouth, is one of their southernmost surviving works. Taking in the Royal Albert Bridge and several other interesting geographical details, it also catches passing glimpses of railway workers. Note the rising smoke at the end: a train approaching from the parallel track?
The fact that this item was advertised in the press with that 'Beautiful Panorama' title suggests that Mitchell and Kenyon, when circumstances demanded, were quite capable of seeing the commercial value of pictorial subjects, as distinct from their more usual crowds of recognisable faces. It's also possible that the filmmakers felt more comfortable with a more visual subject and formal style than usual when they found themselves so far off their familiar northern turf. Ironically, though, the photography here is not particularly outstanding. The operator seems to be struggling with camera and film-stock limitations when on the move: not always capturing perfectly sharp images, nor framing them with total precision. More absorbing is the film's geographical terrain, which offers evidence of both rural agriculture and small-town light industry. Notice, too, a horse drawn tram passing us as we enter town.
Related
Panorama of the River Avon to Portishead (1902) Panorama of the River Avon to Portishead (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 9 mins Silent Location: Portishead
A fine variety of views of the Avon gorge taken from various positions downstream from the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Phantom Ride on the Furness Railway (1901) Phantom Ride on the Furness Railway (1901)
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent Location: Furness Abbey
A driver's view of the Furness Railway through Furness Abbey Tunnel and Station.
Tram Ride through Sunderland (1904) Tram Ride through Sunderland (1904)
Non-Fiction 1904 3 mins Silent Location: Sunderland
The thrill of a ride through central Sunderland to the sea at Roker.
Liverpool As Seen from the Front of an Electric Car from the Pierhead to the Circus (1901) Liverpool As Seen from the Front of an Electric Car from the Pierhead to the Circus (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
A fascinating film tour into the heart of Edwardian Liverpool.
Scenes at Egremont Ferry (1901) Scenes at Egremont Ferry (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Egremont
Edwardian tourists and businessmen hurry off the ferry and down the long pier at Egremont on the River Mersey.
Cunard Mail Steamer Lucania Leaving For America (1901) Cunard Mail Steamer Lucania Leaving For America (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 16 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
The luxurious RMS Lucania is bound for New York in one of Mitchell & Kenyon's most elaborate and striking films.
Dingles of Plymouth Dingles of Plymouth
Advert 1960 1 mins Location: Plymouth
A charming regional commercial for Plymouth’s best loved department store.
Millbay Laundry Millbay Laundry
Advert 1960 0 mins Location: Plymouth
Help keep your relationship on track by outsourcing your laundry!
Comely Caviar Comely Caviar
Current affairs 1984 1 mins Location: Plymouth
Reporter tests the theory of caviar heightening libido.
Model Clipper Sailor Model Clipper Sailor
Current affairs 1965 2 mins Location: Plymouth
Former shipwright turns his talents to model-making.
Field Gun Practice at HMNB Devonport Field Gun Practice at HMNB Devonport
Current affairs 1962 2 mins Location: Plymouth
Gunboat Crews practise the Royal Navy’s field gun drill in preparation for competition.
Last Cooper Last Cooper
Current affairs 1967 5 mins Location: Plymouth
The last apprenticed cooper in the Royal Navy’s Royal William Victualling Yard undergoes a trusso, an ancient rite of passage.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.