London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
This film is part of Free
This England - London: City and Covent Garden
A man with a dozen baskets on his head and Big Ben shrouded in scaffolding feature in this amateur movie exploring various London sites in 1934.
From the collection of:
Overview
This wonderful amateur film intersperses shots of well-known London locations – Big Ben being repaired, Westminster Abbey, Temple Church – with occasionally head-scratching captions relating to topical goings-on such as the 1934 budget. Contains some real gems, such as Pearly Kings and Queens, Covent Garden high jinx, a train leaving Canon Street, Thames bargemen, Billingsgate porters and tourists crossing Westminster Bridge. Credited to John Wilson.
Related
Ibberson Family and VE Day Ibberson Family and VE Day
Home movie 1945 17 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
Whether it’s the height of the war or its aftermath makes no difference to these children enjoying themselves: at the seaside, on V E Day and around the bomb sites of Sheffield.
Flying a Kite Flying a Kite
Home movie 1903 1 mins Silent Location: Streatham
In the year the Wright Brothers made their first flight, an Edwardian family film themselves taking to the skies… sort of.
Visit to Germany Visit to Germany
Home movie 1936 28 mins Silent
Lloyd George tours the sights of Nazi Germany while his chauffeurs lark about with an SS Officer in this grimly fascinating film.
Amy Johnson Family Films Amy Johnson Family Films
Amateur film 1932 14 mins Silent Location: Bridlington
A rare insight into the public and private lives of the pioneering aviator, filmed by her father.
Ut Proficias Ut Proficias
1953 16 mins Silent
A day in the life of a school - filmed by a pupil who later became one of Britain's best documentary makers.
Problems End Problems End
Amateur film 1964 3 mins
Petty party politics gets animated - literally - in this amateur cartoon with a message.
London 1971 London 1971
Amateur film 1971 15 mins Location: Islington
A gently meandering home movie tour of London, with rare shots of an early Gay Pride march.
London and Its Life London and Its Life
Travelogue 1910 6 mins Silent Location: Holborn
The end of Edwardian London: tour of the fashionable quarters of the nation's capital under the reign of a new King
This England - London Scenes and Life This England - London Scenes and Life
Amateur film 1934 14 mins Silent Location: London
From the Tower of London to Hyde Park Corner, this is a wonderful short sharp tour of several London landmarks.
The Square The Square
Drama 1957 16 mins Location: Westminster
An old man looks back wistfully over his years spent living in a King's Cross square, and enjoys a surprise skiffle party organised by neighbours.
The Flip Side The Flip Side
Current affairs 1964 25 mins Silent Location: Bridlington
A rave up, a ball, or just a plain old racket? The unseen side of the 1960s pop music business is revealed.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2023 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2023 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.