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Forgotten Features
Mischievous mermaids, murderous minors and military mayhem are among the highlights of this collection of long hard-to-see titles.
We can thank the DVD revolution of the last 15-20 years for rescuing hundreds of British films from unwarranted obscurity. Factor in the growth of online distribution too, and you might be forgiven for imagining that the whole of British cinema is now available to view from the comfort of your living room. But the truth is that we're still just scratching the surface, and untold riches - from the silent era to the relatively recent past - still lie hidden from view. This collection of Forgotten British Features is doing its bit to remedy that, with a fascinating and varied selection of unjustly neglected films, hand picked from the vaults by the BFI's expert curators and returned to the screen where they belong, to be discovered by a new generation - starting with you!
High Treason (sound version) High Treason (sound version)
Science Fiction 1929 68 mins
Extravagantly-mounted futuristic sci-fi, now with added sound, although still with the world's two power blocs at loggerheads.
High Treason (silent version) High Treason (silent version)
Science Fiction 1929 75 mins Silent
A terrorist plot plays out on a backdrop of towering skyscrapers, bullet-railways and silver lamé in this vintage vision of London's future.
The Tunnel The Tunnel
Science Fiction 1936 93 mins
The construction of a transatlantic tunnel linking Britain and America hits trouble in an entertaining slice of speculative fiction.
The Private Life of Don Juan The Private Life of Don Juan
Comedy 1934 87 mins
Husbands lock up their wives when the renowned Romeo returns to Seville; but the man wooing the city’s ladies is not what he seems.
A Message from Mars A Message from Mars
Science Fiction 1913 60 mins Location: London
Britain's first full-length science fiction feature has been restored by the BFI National Archive and given a new score by composer Matthew Herbert, commissioned by the BFI and the BBC.
Hedd Wyn Hedd Wyn
War 1992 115 mins Location: Trawsfynydd
The stirring story of poet Ellis Evans-Hedd Wyn, the Welsh poet posthumously awarded the Eisteddfod chair at Birkenhead in 1917 after failing to return from 1st World War trenches.
Adventure in the Hopfields Adventure in the Hopfields
Children's 1954 59 mins Location: Goudhurst
Child actor Mandy Miller shines in this children's adventure set in the traditional hop picking season in Kent.
Good-Time Girl Good-Time Girl
Drama 1948 92 mins Location: Islington
Find out what happens when a good girl goes bad in this controversial post-war Brit noir thriller starring Jean Kent.
Tom Brown's Schooldays Tom Brown's Schooldays
Period drama 1916 75 mins Silent
The adventures of the spirited Tom Brown at Rugby School in the 1830s.
Hobson's Choice Hobson's Choice
Comedy 1920 80 mins Silent
The first film adaptation of Harold Brighouse's Salford-set play, humorously depicting the travails of a dipsomaniac cobbler.
Occupy! Occupy!
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1976 54 mins Location: Kirkby
Pete Postlethwaite, Bill Nighy and Julie Walters appear in this film about a four-year struggle to set up a worker’s cooperative.
Bad Lord Byron Bad Lord Byron
Biopic 1949 83 mins
Ambitious, eccentric and hugely entertaining biopic, with Dennis Price's 'wicked' poet-adventurer defending himself in a celestial court.
Madness of the Heart Madness of the Heart
Melodrama 1949 90 mins
The path to true love never runs smooth, but poor Margaret Lockwood gets more of a bumpy ride than anyone deserves in this post-war melodrama.
The Faithful Heart The Faithful Heart
Romance 1932 80 mins
20 years after saying goodbye to a young waitress and embarking on a war-bound ship, a naval officer discovers he has an adult daughter.
Eagle Rock Eagle Rock
Children's 1965 62 mins Location: Lake District National Park
A teenage boy breaks all the rules of rock climbing to reach the top of an off-limits Lake District mountain.
Pasand Apni Apni Pasand Apni Apni
Comedy 1969 112 mins Location: London
Bollywood-on-Thames: East meets West in a tale of two loves in 70s London
The Woman from China The Woman from China
Crime 1931 76 mins Silent
A young woman is persuaded to help a Chinese businessman to kidnap a naval officer in this fun and outrageous British thriller.
Britannia of Billingsgate Britannia of Billingsgate
Comedy 1933 78 mins Location: Southwark Park
A star is born in this effervescent musical comedy that moves between Billingsgate Fish Market and the glamour of the film world.
The Perfect Woman The Perfect Woman
Comedy 1949 87 mins
In a bid to improve on nature, a scientist creates a robot female. But the experiment doesn't quite turn out as planned...
Kate Plus Ten Kate Plus Ten
Crime 1938 80 mins
Laughs and thrills come thick and fast in this Edgar Wallace comedy-thriller with a hair-raising car versus train chase.
The Weaker Sex The Weaker Sex
War 1948 85 mins
Following one family from 1944 onwards, this film tells the story of the women who worked to keep the home fires burning. An affecting tribute to the vital role women played ensuring that husbands, sons and daughters had something to come home to.
The Passing of the Third Floor Back The Passing of the Third Floor Back
Drama 1936 90 mins
The diverse tenants of a London boarding house find their lives transformed by a mysterious and kindly stranger.
The Vicar of Wakefield The Vicar of Wakefield
Period drama 1916 98 mins Silent
Leads and locations shine in this feature adaptation of Oliver Goldsmith's popular novel, a tale to soften hard hearts
The Gold Express The Gold Express
Crime 1955 58 mins
Claustrophobic train-set comedy-thriller with a gang of crooks intent on stealing a gold shipment on a Scotland to London express.
The Great Barrier The Great Barrier
Western 1937 81 mins
Ambitious, stirring British Western that pits man against the elements in the battle to drive a railway through the Canadian Rockies
The Ghost Train The Ghost Train
Comedy 1931 39 mins
Surviving footage of the first sound version of Arnold Ridley's famous railway station comedy thriller
Mr. Perrin and Mr. Traill Mr. Perrin and Mr. Traill
Drama 1948 92 mins
Two public school teachers clash over teaching methods and the love of a good woman in this absorbing Hugh Walpole adaptation.
Miranda Miranda
Comedy 1948 80 mins
A man goes fishing and comes home with a most unusual catch in this comedy feature.
Escape from Broadmoor Escape from Broadmoor
Thriller 1948 39 mins Location: Hampstead
An escaped murderer faces the vengeful spirit of the woman he killed in this 'psychic mystery' British B-movie.
The Warrior Strain The Warrior Strain
War 1920 52 mins Silent
Young Lord Billy sniffs out sneaky German marauders in this flag-waving war drama - thrills for British boys, 1919-style.
The Somme The Somme
Drama-documentary 1927 109 mins Silent Location: Hounslow
Dramatic reconstruction of the Somme
How Kitchener Was Betrayed How Kitchener Was Betrayed
War 1921 13 mins Silent
Dramatisation of the popular conspiracy theory surrounding the mid-WWI death of Lord Kitchener.
Irish and Proud of It Irish and Proud of It
Crime 1936 72 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry
Kidnapping, mobsters and moonshine! Is this a story is set in a country, which exists only in the minds of those who have never been to Ireland?
The Best Man The Best Man
Comedy 1986 83 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry
The bar flies prepare for the big day with betting, boozing and banter. But will best man Billy break more than his ma’s heart before the wedding?
Devil's Rock Devil's Rock
Drama 1938 51 mins Location: Bangor
Will new open-air microphone technology give Richard Hayward the chance to silence his critics? Watch as Cushendun and Bangor steal the show.
The Volunteer The Volunteer
Government sponsored film 1944 42 mins Location: Denham
Entertaining and evocative Fleet Air Arm drama-doc propaganda piece, written and directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.
The Great Game The Great Game
Sport 1931 75 mins
Reserve player overcomes the odds to win the heart of a fair lady... and the FA Cup final in this early footie feature.
Discoveries Discoveries
Comedy 1940 68 mins Location: Highbury
This morale-boosting variety extravaganza – filled with radio personality Carroll Levis' discoveries - is like a wartime Britain's Got Talent.
Trapped by the London Sharks Trapped by the London Sharks
Comedy 1916 83 mins Silent
Nefarious nightclub hosts blackmail a drunkard into fleecing their customers
On the Banks of Allan Water On the Banks of Allan Water
Drama 1916 49 mins Silent
The course of true love certainly doesn't run smooth in this unlikely Scottish drama from the Clarendon Film Company.
Rogues of London Rogues of London
Drama 1915 51 mins Silent
Charismatic silent star Fred Paul is cast against type as a real rotter preying on innocents in the big city, in an enjoyably lurid London melodrama.
Bless 'em All Bless 'em All
Comedy 1948 71 mins
AWOL for more than half a century, but now back on parade, this cheery army comedy is a showcase for variety star Hal Monty and a young Max Bygraves.
Comin' Thro' The Rye Comin' Thro' The Rye
Biopic 1947 56 mins Location: Burns Cott
A brisk and rousing biopic of Robert Burns, punctuated by songs and poems based on his famous works.
A Man's Affair A Man's Affair
Romance 1949 65 mins
A holiday romance between a miner and a secretary blossoms in Ramsgate
Helen of Four Gates Helen of Four Gates
Drama 1920 78 mins Silent Location: Heptonstall
A tale of treachery, madness and thwarted love in this vivid rural melodrama set around Heptonstall in Yorkshire.
Love Story of Ann Thomas the Maid of Cefn Ydfa Love Story of Ann Thomas the Maid of Cefn Ydfa
Romance 1914 34 mins Silent Location: Cefn Ydfa
Lovingly rendered version of a traditional Welsh folk tale of thwarted romance, set in 17th-century Cefn Ydfa.
Hamlet Hamlet
Drama 1913 54 mins Silent
Johnston Forbes-Roberston gives his famous performance of Hamlet in this ambitious early Shakespeare feature
A Bid for Fortune A Bid for Fortune
Drama 1917 84 mins Silent
Master criminal Dr Nikola seeks a Chinese curio that promises eternal life and world domination
East Is East East Is East
Drama 1917 71 mins Silent
Charming tale of East End lovers divided by a not so lucky windfall, with beautiful scenes in the Kent hop fields.
Masks and Faces Masks and Faces
Historical drama 1917 92 mins Silent
A strong cast of British stage luminaries enriches this tale of heartache and betrayal in 18th century London society
Men of Two Worlds Men of Two Worlds
Drama 1946 107 mins Location: Pinewood Film Studios
Handsomely presented drama about a man caught between his privileged Western education and traditional African roots.
My Old Dutch My Old Dutch
Drama 1934 84 mins
Moving family drama of the life of a working-class Hackney couple over 40 years, inspired by the famous music hall song
The Last Adventurers The Last Adventurers
Drama 1937 75 mins Location: Grimsby
Drama and romance by the North Sea in this tale of family dispute
Jane Shore Jane Shore
Historical drama 1915 79 mins Silent
Early attempt at medieval epic with impressive locations
Green Grow the Rushes Green Grow the Rushes
Comedy 1951 78 mins Location: New Romney
Brandy-smuggling locals resist government interference in this Ealing-esque comedy, filmed on Romney Marsh
Mysteries of London Mysteries of London
Crime 1915 49 mins Silent Location: London
Romantic melodrama about a woman who loses both her parents and innocently falls in with a bad crowd.
More Forgotten Features in our Rentals collection.