Set up in 1977, the North West Film Archive preserves moving images made in or about Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Cumbria and offers a variety of access services to users in the public, academic and commercial sectors.
This film is part of Free
The Animal World
See a baby owl learning to fly, as an amateur filmmaker introduces us to some of his animal and avian acquaintances.
From the collection of:
Overview
In this delightful pictorial record, amateur filmmaker Reginald Rigby takes a close look at the animal world. From a wobbly young owl discovering how its wings work to elephants from Bertram Mills Circus enjoying welcome free time in the fresh air; from an extremely enthusiastic lamb to some decidedly unimpressed cattle, this film casts a humorous eye upon aspects of animal and avian behaviour.
Related
Wisdom of the Wild Wisdom of the Wild
Documentary 1940 12 mins
Fun mixture of natural history and wartime public information.
Dog Years Dog Years
Comedy 2004 4 mins
Sweet and funny short about a potty-mouthed dog who loves his owner
Beetle Racing Beetle Racing
News 1959 3 mins
Six legged competitors take to the starting blocks as a Midlands pub brings the sport of beetle racing to the world.
Alligator on Lizard Alligator on Lizard
Current affairs 1971 5 mins Location: St Keverne
Daisy the pet alligator living on the Lizard in Cornwall
Anoop and the Elephant Anoop and the Elephant
Children's 1972 52 mins Director: David Eady
Fun-packed comedy for kids, in which a boy befriends a baby elephant – then teams up with his friends to stop it being sold
Open Your Eyes Open Your Eyes
Amateur film 1967 14 mins Location: Thompson Common
Should you look hard enough, you’ll be amazed at the antics that creatures get up to, says Dorothy Maxey, amateur filmmaker and naturalist.
Spinning Your Future Spinning Your Future
Documentary 1967 17 mins Location: Lancashire
What’s new in textiles? This recruitment film aims to tempt teenagers to work in their local Courtaulds mill.
Lancashire at Work Lancashire at Work
Documentary 1933 22 mins Location: Lancashire
An epic and electrifying portrait of the county that cradled the industrial revolution.
Unidentified Factory Gate Exit in Lancashire (c.1900) Unidentified Factory Gate Exit in Lancashire (c.1900)
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent Location: Lancashire
A diverse workforce make their way from the factory, perhaps a Lancashire cotton mill?
Joanna Scanlan - Exclusive Q&A Joanna Scanlan - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 51 mins
Actor and writer Joanna Scanlan talks to Mia Bays, director of the BFI's Filmmaking Fund, about her career in film and television.
Baldwin's N***** Baldwin's N*****
Documentary 1969 44 mins
Horace Ové's striking portrait of the American writer James Baldwin at his sharp-witted best addressing a group of radical West Indian students in 1960s London.
Shoot Your Shot Shoot Your Shot
Drama 2022 12 mins
An emotional stand-off takes flight, as teen best friends Ronit and Brennan come to terms with navigating that fuzzy feeling in their stomachs, all whilst learning to skateboard.
Look Like You Look Like You
Drama 2022 13 mins
While visiting the adoptive family of her eight-year-old biological son, Tara relays advice she gathered from growing up as a queer outcast.
Yellow Yellow
Drama 2023 13 mins
In Taliban controlled Afghanistan, Laili walks into a Chadari store in Kabul to buy her first full body veil from a Talib shopkeeper and face a new future.
Nehemich Nehemich
Drama 2023 23 mins
Banished in a dilapidated village hut during her menstruation, a young girl waits to elope with her lover.