This film is part of Free
Topical Budget 34-1
Two of the earliest surviving editions of the Topical Budget newsreel, released in the aftermath of the Titanic disaster.
Overview
Many newsreels were rushed out in the aftermath of the Titanic disaster in April 1912. Sadly for Titanic buffs, this compilation of two Topical Budget items from that fateful week does not appear to boast rediscovered footage of the legendary liner, as we might have hoped. The opening shots, purporting to show the Titanic at Southampton, in fact feature her near-identical sister ship RMS Olympic. Olympic completed her maiden voyage safely in June 1911, stealing her then-unfinished younger sister's thunder in the press stakes. With Titanic images so scarce, many newsreels resorted to passing off Olympic as Titanic.
We also glimpse scenes outside the White Star Line's London HQ Oceanic House, just off Trafalgar Square on Cockspur Street. This was probably filmed on 16 April, as news of the sinking in the early hours of 15 April reached Britain. Among the crowd of newsboys rushing to distribute the evening paper could be 16-year-old Ned Parfett, later captured in an iconic image holding up the shocking headline 'Titanic Disaster - Great Loss of Life'. Parfett was killed four years later serving in WWI. The second item shows dignitaries leaving St. Paul's Cathedral following the national memorial service for the victims. The service took place on 19 April, less than 24 hours after the Cunard steamship RMS Carpathia brought the survivors to New York. The public were only just becoming aware of the horrifying scale of the disaster: more than 1,500 passengers and crew had died, almost two thirds of all those on board.
Related
Ship is Launched Ship is Launched
Industry sponsored film 1957 7 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
The famous Swan Hunter shipyards on the Tyne grease the slipway for another stirring launch in the prosperous 1950s.
Building and Launch of the "Crepath" at Barnstaple Building and Launch of the "Crepath" at Barnstaple
Non-Fiction 1918 5 mins Silent Location: Barnstaple
Barnstaple's experimental concrete-hulled ship gets a visit from a jolly Italian admiral.
City of Ships City of Ships
Industry sponsored film 1940 34 mins Location: Royal Albert Dock
There’s breathtaking footage of the London’s docks at their bustling peak in this informative film celebrating the work of the Port Of London Authority.
Shipyard Shipyard
1935 25 mins Location: Barrow-In-Furness
Paul Rotha’s brilliant film of the building and launch of SS Orion from the shipyards of Barrow-in-Furness.
RMS Queen Mary Leaves the Clyde RMS Queen Mary Leaves the Clyde
1936 2 mins Silent
The iconic Cunard White Star liner leaves the shipyard of her birth and ventures seawards for the first time.
Shipbuilders Shipbuilders
Government sponsored film 1940 10 mins
Shipwrights, plate-fitters and riveters support the war effort as their ships take majestic shape in this tour of British shipyards.
Vistafjord Exclusive Cruises Vistafjord Exclusive Cruises
Advert 1975 21 mins Location: Southampton
Enjoy this kaleidoscope of images taken aboard the MS Vistafjord - for an exclusive holiday cruise setting sail from Southampton
C.I.V.'s Marching aboard S.S. "Garth Castle" C.I.V.'s Marching aboard S.S. "Garth Castle"
1900 1 mins Silent Location: Southampton
Volunteers prepare for the long journey to South Africa
Train Load of C.I.V.s Leaving Southampton Train Load of C.I.V.s Leaving Southampton
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Location: Southampton
Back in Blighty - after fighting in the Boer War, these volunteer soldiers are heading home to London and Middlesex
Embarkation of the C.I.V. For South Africa Embarkation of the C.I.V. For South Africa
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent Location: Southampton
City Imperial Volunteers head for the Boer War battleground
Coldstream Guards Embarking on Troopship Gascon Coldstream Guards Embarking on Troopship Gascon
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins Silent Location: Southampton
This close view of departing troops gets up close and personal with soldiers off to the Boer War.
Lord Roberts Leaving for South Africa Lord Roberts Leaving for South Africa
Documentary 1899 1 mins Silent Location: Southampton
With grim news from the Boer War, a popular military commander is given a fond farewell as he leaves to take command
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.