Commonwealth Tales

A colour film of African wildlife by the ‘Ker, Downey and Selby Safari Company’, set up by Donald Ker, Sydney Downey and Harry Selby.

Everyday life and places of interest around the areas of Midnapore and Chittagong, including steamers and Indian boats along the Damodar river.

Amateur holiday footage of a family’s trip to the Caribbean and the Panama Canal.

South African Prime Minister Jan Smuts delivers a stirring speech in London, watched by an approving Winston Churchill, in this affirmative film about South Africa’s contribution to the war.

Colonial recruits from Trinidad meet the Lord Mayor of London during WWI

Colour amateur documentary from 1939 on life in South Africa and Southern Rhodesia, produced by Frances Hotham.

Hugh Bennett’s visit to South Africa in 1944, as filmed (in colour) by C.J.J. Van Rensburg of the Soil Conservation Division, Department of Agriculture.

Before the sporting boycott of the apartheid state, South Africa was a touring destination for the English cricketer.

Colour, silent film recording people, costumes, rites and festivities seen at a Durbar, which celebrates the culmination of Muslim festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

Early 90s London gets a vibrant dose of African culture in this mini odyssey fusing dance, music and fashion.

Amateur colour footage showing architecture, people and landscapes in South Africa (including Pretoria), filmed c. 1950.

With great enthusiasm, the schoolchildren of Stewards Comp in Harlow are inspired to drum, dance, and sing traditional African music.

With workshops and performances, Aklowa village in Essex promotes a greater awareness of the richness of African culture.

Essex primary schoolchildren share an unforgettable afternoon, living the life of an African villager.

An African entourage makes a spectacular appearance in postwar London.

A Ghanaian fashion student and a Nigerian squash player are among the African community making a life in 70s Britain in this edition of the magazine show.

From a London pub to the Alaska Highway, Canada’s influence extends far beyond its border, as shown in this celebration of America’s unique ties with its northern neighbour.

Travels with my camera: inspirational seventy-something Scottish film-maker Jenny Gilbertson travels through Northern Canada by dog sled, with four adults and a baby.

A military film from 1946 “Chronicling a journey of exploration by the Canadian Army through the interior of Northern Canada in midwinter.”

Indian carpets make their way to Montreal in this promotional film

In 1940 the war still seemed distant to US citizens. But what it was like for the 11 million ‘other Americans’ who were already at war? The March of Time cameras go north of the border to Canada to find out.

Amateur film from 1955 showing the people, landscapes and architecture of numerous islands in the Caribbean by Everild Helweg-Larsen, F.R.G.S.

Indian soldiers in Singapore, while their compatriots are trained in the manufacture of war munitions

It's smiles all round in this snapshot of postcolonial Ghana, born from the British imperial territory of the Gold Coast

Silent, pre-World War Two documentary recording the people, landscapes and industries of the Federated Malay States, (1895-1946), which were to become modern-day Malaysia in 1963.

A film full of contrasts captures Australia at a pivotal point in its history: under threat from Japan at home, but pledging to defend the British Empire and the Crown abroad.

The voyage, the camaraderie, the matches, the sights: the whole experience of a 1950s tour down under is here.

Probably the first ever cricket film: Indian cricketing royalty prepares for the first test between England and Australia at Sydney.

Keep calm and carry on - these East End schoolkids dance to lift the spirits of Kiwi troops

Soldiers representing South Africa and New Zealand billeted in London get stuck in during a rugby fixture in Richmond Park.

Colour film showing the restoration of a historic house and views in the Bahamas, dating from the mid-20th century.

A 1930s glimpse of life in rural Sri Lanka

Ambitious, poetic documentary chronicling life in Ceylon.

A Sri Lankan dance troop enthrals folk festival goers.

Silent amateur film of the lower reaches of the Nile in Uganda from 1932.

Dressing to please as the happy couple switch wedding dress for national dress.

Meet Mohamed Fazal Hussain, elder statesman and all-round Mr Fixit of Bradford's Muslim community, and a film mogul in the making...

An amateur silent film illustrating the people and places of northern Nigeria, by Charles Bruce. From daily market life to adobe architecture, the film also features ceremonies and horse racing at a traditional Durbar.

An enlightening account of the first Nigerian football team to tour outside West Africa.

Sword-dancing Patans, burqa-clad women, modern irrigation methods, a free press and a new airport: this film portrays the Pakistan of 1950 as a vibrant blend of ancient and modern.

Amateur travelogue of the Kagan Valley and Darband, Pakistan.

Unseen for decades, Bimal Roy's documentary finds poetry in the kerosene can