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
Scillonian Sister Ship
Work on the sister ship to the Scillonian is progressing in Bristol shipyard.
From the collection of:
Overview
The keel of the Queen of the Isles passenger ferry is being measured checked and assembled at the Albion dockyard by Charles Hill and Son in Bristol. Built over two years for the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company to aid the load of cargo and passengers of the MV Scillonian Ferry between Penzance and Scilly Isles, the Queen was launched on 16 November 1964 by the Duchess of Gloucester.
Islander was the ship's intended name but as it was already registered and so Queen of the Isles was chosen. The Queen's maiden voyage was in April 1965 under the command of Captain J.N Thomas. Reported to be an embarrassment to the company she was sold to Tonga becoming Olovaha from 1970 to 1982, several name changes and employments later she was finally named the Western Queen in 1994. This Queen ran aground at Ranadi beach in the Solomon Islands in 2001.
Related
Watch for free
Prince of Wales Prince of Wales
Non-Fiction 1928 3 mins Silent Location: Bristol
The future King Edward VIII takes to the waves at Bristol after opening a new dock extension
Watch for free
Dead Centre Dead Centre
Documentary 1958 9 mins Silent Location: Bristol
Blitz-scarred Bristol's redevelopment programme was blighted by a succession of disputes, explored in this campaigning film
Watch for free
Bristol's Industries Bristol's Industries
Documentary 1939 21 mins Silent Location: Bristol
Aeroplanes, mops and cigarettes are all produced in "busy Bristol" - as illustrated in this action-packed short film
Watch for free
"Around and About" 1949 "Around and About" 1949
Amateur film 1949 25 mins Silent Location: Rumney
A summer of shows – Rumney Horse Show Society's Show, Vale of Glamorgan Agricultural Show, Usk Farmers' Club Show – and a visit to Bristol Zoo where children ride on an elephant.
Watch for free
Yeovil and Chard - Street Scenes Yeovil and Chard - Street Scenes
Amateur film 1931 1 mins Silent Location: Crewkerne
Madcap home movie road trip around south west England - speeding through rural Somerset and Dorset up to Bristol.
Watch for free
Bristol, British City Bristol, British City
Documentary 1951 18 mins Location: Bristol
How a thousand years of history have helped the West Country capital to emerge from the blitz as a modern city of art and industry.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.