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Behind the Camera
A rich archive giving an unparalleled insight into the creative process. Enjoy this diverse range of wisdom and perspective on the art and craft of cinema.
From recent interviews to archive documentaries and experimental films about the cinematic process, this illuminating collection highlights the myriad forms of filmmaking and the talents behind it.
Film Director Ken RussellFilm Director Ken Russell
News19723 mins Location: Torquay
Writer and Director Ken Russell explains his brush with The Devils.
Filmmakers in Focus: Agnès VardaFilmmakers in Focus: Agnès Varda
Inside Film202147 mins
Writer and activist So Mayer joins filmmaker and critic Alexandra Hidalgo to discuss the work of acclaimed French director and artist Agnès Varda.
Michael Caine on the set of The Eagle Has LandedMichael Caine on the set of The Eagle Has Landed
News19715 mins Location: St Mawgan
Michael Caine completes mission as Oberst Kurt Steiner.
Vanessa RedgraveVanessa Redgrave
Inside Film196829 mins
Political beliefs and public profile is the core of Redgrave's interview, conducted at a time of immense upheaval in British life.
Filmmakers in Focus: Joanna HoggFilmmakers in Focus: Joanna Hogg
Inside Film202138 mins
BFI National Archive curator Will Massa and film critic Beatrice Loayza explore the work of contemporary British filmmaker Joanna Hogg.
Anna Karina on Vivre sa vieAnna Karina on Vivre sa vie
Inside Film201635 mins
The actor discusses Jean-Luc Godard’s film about a young woman who drifts into prostitution, and her relationship with the director.
Derek Jarman in Conversation with Simon FieldDerek Jarman in Conversation with Simon Field
198932 mins
A far reaching interview with multifaceted artist Derek Jarman, conducted in 1987 by producer and critic Simon Field as part of the ICA Guardian Conversations series.
Filmmakers in Focus: Márta MészárosFilmmakers in Focus: Márta Mészáros
Inside Film202143 mins
Film critic Tara Judah and film scholar Catherine Portuges explore the work of trailblazing Hungarian filmmaker Márta Mészáros.
On The Set of The ShoutOn The Set of The Shout
News19776 mins Location: Hartland Abbey
A cricket match with extras
Sean ConnerySean Connery
Inside Film196729 mins
Remarkable meeting with the Scot, promoting the only film he's ever directed, and illustrating how it awakened his political consciousness.
Richard LesterRichard Lester
Inside Film196717 mins
Beatles and Goons' collaborator reveals his worldview, from the Vietnam War to dissent and disenchantment in '60s society.
John BoultingJohn Boulting
Inside Film196721 mins
Lively interview with veteran filmmaker on the state of the British film industry, and his work with his regular star, Peter Sellers. Filmed in 1967.
Hayley MillsHayley Mills
Inside Film196725 mins
At 21, Mills' private life was of wider interest than her career as a former child star, as this timely and telling interview discovers.
Spike MilliganSpike Milligan
Inside Film196740 mins
Wide-ranging, honest and revelatory conversation with the former Goon, who was about to begin a new phase of his career.
Maureen LipmanMaureen Lipman
Inside Film196810 mins
Charming interview with the 21-year-old Lipman, who had just completed her first film role, as she ponders what to do next.
Terence Davies introduces Listen to BritainTerence Davies introduces Listen to Britain
Inside Film1 mins
Terence Davies introduces Humphrey Jennings and Stewart McAllister's poetic paean to Great Britain.
Interview with Jim AndersonInterview with Jim Anderson
Inside Film8 mins
Working with Terence Davies on Of Time And The City, Anderson addresses the importance of archive footage and his wider role as an archive producer.
How we adapted Wolf Hall (Q&A)How we adapted Wolf Hall (Q&A)
Inside Film201512 mins
Peter Kosminsky, Claire Foy and Debbie Wiseman join Hilary Mantel to talk about the BBC adaptation of her Booker Prize-winning novel, Wolf Hall.
Leonard Whiting Olivia HusseyLeonard Whiting Olivia Hussey
Inside Film196716 mins
Teenage actors discuss their work with Franco Zeffirelli on Romeo and Juliet.
Filmmakers in Focus: Michael HanekeFilmmakers in Focus: Michael Haneke
Inside Film202141 mins
In this illustrated discussion, BFI programmer-at-large Geoff Andrew and Catherine Wheatley, the author of two books on Michael Haneke’s work, examine what makes him such a distinctive, important and often controversial cinematic artist.
James FoxJames Fox
Inside Film196819 mins
Happy and relaxed dialogue with the then 28-year-old actor, covering his rise to fame and plans for the future.
Kirk Douglas plays a Telemark HeroKirk Douglas plays a Telemark Hero
News19663 mins Location: Weymouth
Kirk Douglas likes the seaside town of Weymouth except the weather.
Filmmakers in Focus: Louis MalleFilmmakers in Focus: Louis Malle
Inside Film202140 mins
In this discussion, BFI programmer-at-large Geoff Andrew and Sue Harris, Professor of Film Studies at Queen Mary University of London, will focus on three titles to look at what made Malle such a rewarding filmmaker.
David Soul in YelvertonDavid Soul in Yelverton
News19776 mins Location: Yelverton
American British actor David Soul appears in Mud.
Sylvia SymsSylvia Syms
Inside Film196715 mins
Interview with the straight-talking star of films such as Victim and Ice Cold In Alex, shot in 1967.
Robert Hartford-DavisRobert Hartford-Davis
Inside Film196813 mins
Famed for managing small budgets and delivering a profit, Robert Hartford-Davis talks about his career as a producer/director in this 1960s interview.
Tony RichardsonTony Richardson
Inside Film196819 mins
Caustic and very personal ravaging of film criticism, from the director of Tom Jones, A Taste of Honey and The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner.
Sir Ian McKellen introduces Richard III (1995)Sir Ian McKellen introduces Richard III (1995)
Short documentary20161 mins
Sir Ian McKellen reflects on his most renowned on-screen Shakespearean role, reprised from Richard Eyre's acclaimed National Theatre production.
Sir Ian McKellen introduces Henry V (1944)Sir Ian McKellen introduces Henry V (1944)
Short documentary20161 mins
Sir Ian McKellen introduces Laurence Olivier's classic adaptation of Henry V, a rousing wartime classic which McKellen contrasts with Kenneth Branagh's more circumspect 1989 version.
Sir Ian McKellen introduces Throne of BloodSir Ian McKellen introduces Throne of Blood
Short documentary20162 mins
The champion of BFI's Shakespeare on Film season introduces Akira Kurosawa's great Macbeth adaptation.
Hollywood U.S.A!Hollywood U.S.A!
Anthology193722 mins
Hollywood has more than just celebrated stars: its industry is respectable and prosperous, says Leslie Howard.
Movies March OnMovies March On
Non-Fiction193921 mins
Charlie Chaplin relaxes on the tennis court in this potted history of Hollywood, which looks back fondly to the early days of film, in a world on the brink of war.
The British Film IndustryThe British Film Industry
Non-Fiction193622 mins
A laudatory item on the mid-1930s British film industry makes this issue of the cinemagazine fascinating for film fans.
Charlton Heston in CornwallCharlton Heston in Cornwall
News19681 mins Location: Porthcurno
Hollywood Actor Charlton Heston thinks about playing Saxon King Harold.
Interview with Deborah KerrInterview with Deborah Kerr
News19853 mins Location: Dorset
Deborah Kerr explains the masoschism associated with theatrical performance.
Filmmakers in Focus: Věra ChytilováFilmmakers in Focus: Věra Chytilová
Inside Film202141 mins
Film critic Carmen Gray and film writer Ela Bittencourt discuss three films by trailblazing Czech filmmaker Věra Chytilová.
Peter CookPeter Cook
Inside Film196730 mins
Pith and politics from the brilliant, unpredictable comedian who declares proudly, "I find myself unable to learn anything."
Straw Dogs at St BuryanStraw Dogs at St Buryan
News19717 mins Location: St Buryan
Actors talk of Straw Dogs while on location in Cornwall.
The Set of Far from the Madding CrowdThe Set of Far from the Madding Crowd
News196710 mins Location: Dorset
Julie Christie and Alan Bates entertain us as Hardy’s book is brought to life.
A Red Deer called FernA Red Deer called Fern
Current affairs19774 mins Location: Exmoor
Fern the red deer appears once again for the cameras
More Behind the Camera in our Subscription collection, Filmmaking in Focus.
More Inside Film: Behind the Camera in our Rentals collection.