This film is part of Free
Alec Bedser Cricket Home Movies: MCC Tour of Australia 1954
The voyage, the camaraderie, the matches, the sights: the whole experience of a 1950s tour down under is here.
Amateur film 1954 52 mins Silent
Overview
A tour of Australia in the early 50s involved a six-week sea journey, several warm-up matches and much social and sight-seeing activity, as well as the Tests themselves. Alec Bedser's home movies capture the whole experience, including the passage through the Suez Canal, many of the matches, beaches and barbies, trips to the Australian Open Tennis tournament, horse racing, the outback and more.
The MCC tourists played 23 matches in all, including five Test matches (as England), winning the series 3-1 after losing the first Test in Brisbane. Players included Peter May, Denis Compton, Tom Graveney and Trevor Bailey, with Richie Benaud, Neil Harvey and Keith Miller featuring for the Aussies.
Related
Commonwealth Tales
Victory Parade Victory Parade
Documentary 1946 21 mins
Soldiers from the far reaches of the British Empire arrive in London to take part in the official commemoration of the end of war in Europe.
Commonwealth Foundation Commonwealth Foundation
Government sponsored film 1969 12 mins Location: Brixton
Beach, church and carnival – Chief Inspector of Brixton Police sent to Trinidad to learn about West Indian customs.
Child Child
Documentary 1947 18 mins Silent
Advice for village families on raising children to become strong, healthy citizens
Carnival Fantastique Carnival Fantastique
Documentary 1960 18 mins
Vibrant documentary that captures Trinidad's famous street carnival in 1960.
Messages from Bhupen Khakhar Messages from Bhupen Khakhar
Documentary 1983 37 mins
"Good taste can be very killing": personal reflections from the self-trained Indian painter.
Mauritius 1941 Mauritius 1941
Amateur film 1941 14 mins Silent
The film shows Port Louis, the capital; workers on sugar plantations and road mending as well as colonial life in the then British dependency.
New
Mark Kermode Online in 3D with Meera Syal, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Greg Proops and more Mark Kermode Online in 3D with Meera Syal, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Greg Proops and more
Discussion programme 2020 65 mins
The funniest, best loved and most respected film critic in the UK talks to an array of guests from the world of film including Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Meera Syal, Ben Roberts, and more!
Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Andy Serkis, Jason Isaacs, Monica Dolan & Simon Bird Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Andy Serkis, Jason Isaacs, Monica Dolan & Simon Bird
Discussion programme 2020 55 mins
The funniest, best loved and most respected film critic in the UK talks about film culture past and present with stars such as Andy Serkis, Monica Dolan, Simon Bird, and Jason Isaacs.
Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Riz Ahmed, Aleem Khan, Joanna Scanlan, Tricia Tuttle and Ben Wheatley Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Riz Ahmed, Aleem Khan, Joanna Scanlan, Tricia Tuttle and Ben Wheatley
Discussion programme 2020 45 mins
Mark takes a look back at the 2020 BFI London Film Festival, speaking to Festival Director Tricia Tuttle about the challenges of this year and chatting to the creators of two of the Festival’s most talked about titles: Mogul Mowgli and After Love.
Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Morfydd Clark, Rose Glass, Segun Akinola and Be Manzini Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Morfydd Clark, Rose Glass, Segun Akinola and Be Manzini
Discussion programme 2020 56 mins
The funniest, best loved and most respected film critic in the UK talks to an array of guests from the world of film including Morfydd Clark, Shola Amoo, Be Manzini, and more!
Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Sam Riley, Noel Clarke and Caitlin Moran Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Sam Riley, Noel Clarke and Caitlin Moran
Discussion programme 2020 59 mins
The funniest, best loved and most respected film critic in the UK talks to an array of guests from the world of film including Noel Clarke, Sam Riley, Fyzal Boulifa, and more!
Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Simon Pegg, Brian Cox, Shazia Mirza & Salvador Simó Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Simon Pegg, Brian Cox, Shazia Mirza & Salvador Simó
Discussion programme 2020 60 mins
The funniest, best loved and most respected film critic in the UK talks to an array of guests from the world of film including Simon Pegg, Brian Cox, Shazia Mirza, and more!