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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
In One EndIn One End
Documentary197728 mins Location: Southwold
Real ale and folk music in the pub – performed by Fairport Convention – are celebrated in this portrait of Southwold on the Suffolk coast and the work of the Adnams brewery.
A World Is TurningA World Is Turning
Documentary194845 mins
A lost chapter in black British film: extraordinary rushes from a documentary showcasing talented members of the black community.
Hay on Wye Declares IndependenceHay on Wye Declares Independence
Non-Fiction19773 mins Location: Hay-on-Wye/Y Gelli Gandryll
Hay on Wye declares independence and pledges a future of second-hand book browsing and sausage eating.
Grove CarnivalGrove Carnival
Documentary198118 mins Location: Notting Hill
West London echoes to the sound of reggae and steel pans in this kaleidoscopic record of the 1980 Notting Hill Carnival.
Leatherhead Repertory TheatreLeatherhead Repertory Theatre
Amateur film196918 minsSilent Location: Leatherhead
Leatherhead gets a new theatre in this fascinating film which records its construction - with visits from stars of stage and screen as well as a grand Royal opening.
Hot Pants for Men?Hot Pants for Men?
News19712 mins Location: Launceston
A leggy stroll around Launceston reveals the uptake of hotpants for men.
The Pied Pipers of HarlowThe Pied Pipers of Harlow
Performance196549 mins Location: Harlow
Listen to Harlow: the new town’s musical life from orchestras and choirs to jazz and pop.
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?
The Open RoadThe Open Road
Travelogue200665 mins Location: Land's End
Startling colour photography of 1920s Britain imbues Claude Friese-Greene’s 1920s road trip around Britain.
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.
Glastonbury past and PresentGlastonbury past and Present
Documentary192268 minsSilent Location: Glastonbury
Druids, kings and mystics - rekindling the ancient spirit of Glastonbury.
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.
Cutting for StyleCutting for Style
Training film/TV programme195423 minsSilent
A delightfully eccentric hairdressing tutorial for the stylists of 1950s Britain
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
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.
Virtual Pub Crawl
Fancy a swift half? This round of Britain's drinking establishments is on us.
Keep Fit
Let’s get physical! With over a century of exercise on film, this collection offers some high intensity viewing.