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Explore archive films
See shorts and features, showing the best from the BFI, national and regional archives - including 120 years of Britain on film
Britain on Film map
Watch thousands of beautifully preserved films, capturing our lives and our stories over 120 years. Search by location to find films about places that mean the world to you.
What we're watching
Nottingham Goose Fair October 1959Nottingham Goose Fair October 1959
Amateur film195917 minsSilent Location: Nottingham
Without a goose in sight, but with plenty of candy floss and toffee apples, the annual extravaganza of the showman's art of entertainment brings thrills to Nottingham.
Co-operetteCo-operette
Advert193815 mins
See silly slapstick, music, mayhem and a daffy dance-off between a carrot and an onion in this lively colour film advertising Co-op stores.
Song of ToledoSong of Toledo
Musical195331 mins
This merrily musical short film takes a jovial trip across picturesque 1950s Spain aboard the Talgo Express
New Towns for OldNew Towns for Old
Documentary19426 mins Location: Sheffield
Sheffield stands in as 'Smokedale', an industrial Everytown, in this stirring call for "new schools, new hospitals, new roads, new life", after WWII.
Five Guineas a WeekFive Guineas a Week
Musical195633 mins
1950s song and dance revue set in a colourful world of boarding houses and coffee bars
Racing CyclistRacing Cyclist
Documentary196613 mins
A fascinating insight into lightweight racing cycle manufacture, featuring cycling hero Barry Witcomb.
Worst Shoppers in the World CompetitionWorst Shoppers in the World Competition
News19755 mins Location: Leeds
Calendar News’ hotly contested Worst Shoppers in the World Competition quickly escalates into a competitive feud.
Sowerby BridgeSowerby Bridge
Factual TV19859 mins Location: Sowerby Bridge
Sowerby Bridge’s community work together to rejuvenate their neglected small town in this inspirational film filled with community spirit.
CalderdaleCalderdale
Factual TV19879 mins Location: Halifax
Halifax’s Calderdale Council inspires real and lasting positive change in the community through infrastructure investment in this film.
Haltwhistle Newspaper ClosesHaltwhistle Newspaper Closes
News19693 mins Location: Haltwhistle
The printing presses grind to a halt in Haltwhistle.
Woodlice RacingWoodlice Racing
News19783 mins Location: Brockhampton
Woodlice racing: a practice to improve fertility or an excuse for gambling?
Mediaeval Tournament at Hawarden ParkMediaeval Tournament at Hawarden Park
Home movie196815 minsSilent Location: Hawarden/Penarlâg
The grounds of Hawarden Castle lend themselves to jousting, archery and a hog roast but modern-day ice-creams and hot dogs are on offer too.
Miners RetirementMiners Retirement
News197713 mins Location: Cannock Chase
As the Cannock Chase office of the NUM fills up with the walking wounded from the pit face what future can there be for such a high risk industry?
Janet, John & Susan present "1943-1947"Janet, John & Susan present "1943-1947"
Amateur film19479 minsSilent Location: Newtown
A Geoff Charles film showing how “the men of Llanwddyn broke their way out for bread” after a great blizzard hit Britain in January 1947.
Elland Road 1979Elland Road 1979
Non-Fiction197927 minsSilent Location: Leeds
Everyone knows their place in this now familiar weekly football ritual of rowdy working class youth arriving at Leeds, separated from their counterparts by police and fences.
Schools for MoslemsSchools for Moslems
Documentary198027 mins Location: Bury
A visit to Darul Uloom School in South Lancashire, the UK's first Muslim school
Our Smallest CollieryOur Smallest Colliery
Non-Fiction19272 minsSilent Location: Shevington
A Lancashire farmer's fields yield an unusual crop
John DanielJohn Daniel
Home movie19257 minsSilent
John Daniel, a tame gorilla, plays with his human friends in this early amateur film
NHS on Film
Film has the power to change lives – and even save them. No surprise, then, that moving images have played an important role in one of the world’s greatest public health services.
C.A.L.M.C.A.L.M.
Public Information Filler19971 mins
A powerful public information filler promoting CALM – a charity dedicated to preventing male suicide.
Towards a Better Life - Community HealthTowards a Better Life - Community Health
26 mins
A GP in rural Somerset and one in Kentish Town, London, reflect on “what is a General Practitioner in the 1980s?”
New Way of CaringNew Way of Caring
Documentary197321 mins
An in-house training film designed to explain the NHS' 1973 reorganisation to its staff.
District NurseDistrict Nurse
Government sponsored film195227 mins Location: Wadhurst
Never a dull moment for a rural district nurse in the early days of the NHS.
Something to OfferSomething to Offer
Documentary196922 mins
An interesting documentary on psychiatric provision, set at a Plymouth day hospital and originally produced for nursing recruitment.
Blood Donor : Glenda and ErnieBlood Donor : Glenda and Ernie
Public Information Filler19813 mins
Glenda Jackson makes a song and a dance about giving blood – in a wise-cracking double act with Ernie Wise.
Featured collections
Musicals!
Want to escape our troubled times? Immerse yourself in the emotional, life-enhancing pleasures of the musical.
Black Britain on Film
Striking, illuminating and sometimes surprising images of black culture, community and characters, spanning over a century of British film and TV.
Public Information Films
Stop! Look! Listen! For decades public information films have been educating, persuading and above all warning us of hidden dangers.