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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
What we're watching
The Daily Round: The Story of Milk Production and DistributionThe Daily Round: The Story of Milk Production and Distribution
Promotional195422 mins Location: East Sussex
Indulge your nostalgia for the old-fashioned milk bottle with this Express Dairy promotional film from the 1950s.
These Are the HandsThese Are the Hands
Charity appeal20202 mins
Beautiful NHS fundraiser, setting Michael Rosen’s poem to powerful archive images.
Modern Day NightingalesModern Day Nightingales
19785 mins
Gripping glimpses of modern nursing - on the frontline at Guy’s Hospital.
Village ShopVillage Shop
Magazine and Review show19826 mins Location: Hamstall Ridware
The fight to save the village shop at Hamstall Ridware heightens as shoppers fall for the allure of the new fangled supermarket.
Totnes Course for Dog TrainersTotnes Course for Dog Trainers
News19631 minsSilent Location: Totnes
How to train your dog
Tulip Time in South LincolnshireTulip Time in South Lincolnshire
Amateur film195310 minsSilent Location: Spalding
With a Tulip Queen and acres of brilliant bright flowers to see tourists clog the roads of Spalding in search of a perfect field of blooms.
Wellingborough Redevelopment PlanWellingborough Redevelopment Plan
Non-Fiction19625 mins Location: Wellingborough
10,000 people from London to move to Wellingborough, a Northamptonshire town of 30,000, and no plans for any entertainment facilities.
QuarantineQuarantine
Animation & Artists Moving Image201813 mins
A post-Brexit pagan dance fantasy about a troupe of Morris-dancing badgers forced to confront the animals quarantined in a facility built above their burrow.
Keresley - A Village and a StrikeKeresley - A Village and a Strike
Documentary198526 mins Location: Keresley
"Kiss me goodnight Arthur Scargill but Maggie you are no sister to me." Keresley: a colliery and a pit village but, with a strike on, which side are you on?
Cycling Stunt ManCycling Stunt Man
Non-Fiction19743 mins Location: Gloucester
Gloucester's answer to Evel Knievel may not be able to afford a motorbike but he won't let that deter him...
Guinness - PlinthsGuinness - Plinths
Advert19761 mins
Pete and Dud prove to be stout football fans in this Guinness commercial recalling a great sporting moment - however fleeting.
The Tal-Y-Llyn RailwayThe Tal-Y-Llyn Railway
Amateur film194910 minsSilent Location: Talyllyn Railway
The engine ‘Dolgoch’ bumps and bounces its coaches – and two teapots - along the line from Tywyn Wharf Station to Abergynolwyn, before its closure in 1950.
V.E. Celebrations at Newport May 1945V.E. Celebrations at Newport May 1945
Amateur film19459 minsSilent Location: Newport/Casnewydd
Beautifully presented production from The Newport and District Amateur Film Society which gives a real flavour of city celebrations on Victory in Europe Day (8th May 1945).
Black Country FoodBlack Country Food
News19725 mins Location: Wednesbury
Tasting the plain, good 'fittle' of the Black Country - just remember to pull the hairs out of those pork scratchings.
Hull Victory CelebrationsHull Victory Celebrations
Non-Fiction194540 minsSilent Location: Kingston upon Hull
After nearly six years at war the people of Hull show their relief and joy through dancing, children’s parties and other celebrations seen here breaking out all across the city.
Pram Derby at TewkesburyPram Derby at Tewkesbury
News19571 minsSilent Location: Tewkesbury
Warning: contains images of men wearing nappies!
Solar EclipseSolar Eclipse
Non-Fiction19001 mins
The magic of a real solar eclipse filmed by a famous magician
Papplewick Pumping StationPapplewick Pumping Station
News19766 mins Location: Papplewick
With brass polished and a good head of steam Papplewick's pumping station is a lasting legacy to Mariott Ogle Tarbotton.
The Strange Case of Penny AllisonThe Strange Case of Penny Allison
Training film/TV programme200218 mins
Imelda Staunton and Hugh Laurie as you've not quite seen them before: in a comedy training video for Britain’s National Blood Service.
Tracing the Spread of InfectionTracing the Spread of Infection
Documentary194923 mins
Doctors undertake forensic-style detective work to identify the origins of outbreaks, in the fascinating film from the early days of the NHS.
The British Way of HealthThe British Way of Health
Documentary197327 mins Location: London
A portrayal of the NHS which shows off the “marvellous” system to audiences around the world.
You and Your HealthYou and Your Health
Documentary197922 mins
The Community Health Council of Wales blows its own trumpet in myriad ways, including animation, to draw attention to their NHS advisory service.
Back to the CommunityBack to the Community
Documentary198629 mins Location: Bolton
Local authorities trial the Thatcher government’s new ‘care in the community’ initiative.
Organ Donor Card: Organ BoxOrgan Donor Card: Organ Box
19931 mins
An urgently filmed appeal for organ donation.
Featured collections
Films For Fives and Under
Watch with grown-ups: a fun selection of films for supervised viewing by 3-5 year olds and the young at heart.
Spotlight on Key Workers
A salute to the vital workers who keep our essential services running in bad times - and all the time.
Garden Cities & New Towns
Explore England’s pioneering planned settlements, from Edwardian utopia to radical postwar housing schemes.