London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
This film is part of Free
All England on Ice
A group of performing Russian Cossacks pose, skate and sledge on a frozen lake in Ruislip shortly before being deported from London.
From the collection of:
Overview
Half-a-dozen Cossacks, wearing fur caps and military uniform, glare menacingly at the camera before relaxing considerably and engaging in some light-hearted frolics on the ice in Ruislip. Holding hands, a group skates towards the camera, the central Cossack flanked by boys and women. Next comes sledging, and then more straight-faced posing, while the public skates around them. The film concludes with cracking footage of an “impromptu” game of ice hockey in Oxford.
The Cossacks, who included among their number several generals that had served with the last Tsar, were enjoying a break from their ongoing demonstration of daring deeds on horseback in Holland Park Hall, where they also performed traditional Cossack music and dances. Six Cossacks were later deported by the Home Office, much to the dismay of the Russians at being labelled ‘Bolsheviks’.
Related
Watch for free
Toys Will Be Toys Toys Will Be Toys
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1988 5 mins Location: South Shields
Barbie dolls in pink battle khaki killing machines in a Christmas animation that cocks a snook at the “Disney Doctrine”.
Watch for free
A Bronte Christmas A Bronte Christmas
Documentary 1980 14 mins Location: Haworth
Richard Whiteley joins children on the Worth Valley Railway Santa’s Special, while the Haworth Town Band sing On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at.
Watch for free
Christmas in Belfast Christmas in Belfast
Government sponsored film 1977 2 mins Location: Belfast
Christmas in Belfast at the height of 'The Troubles'. Not the most wonderful time of year.
Watch for free
The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown
Musical 1964 70 mins Location: Liverpool
An incredibly joyous TV musical about a young woman's search for her long-lost cousin.
Watch for free
Morecambe and Wise - Be Wise Don't Drink and Drive Morecambe and Wise - Be Wise Don't Drink and Drive
Public Information Filler 1963 1 mins
Ernie tells Eric to ‘be wise’ and not drive home after their Christmas party
Watch for free
Santa Claus Santa Claus
Fantasy 1898 1 mins Silent
These Victorian children's Christmas wishes come true in a very special early British film
Watch for free
Task of the Teacher Task of the Teacher
School programme and Educational film 1973 43 mins Location: Northcourt
London’s school kids get to grips with teaching methods, technology and cows in this film from the 1970s explaining educational theories at different London schools.
Watch for free
Middlesex: Business Houses' Race Middlesex: Business Houses' Race
Non-Fiction 1927 1 mins Silent Location: Ruislip
Mud flies everywhere as hundreds of runners representing different companies take part in a huge cross-country race in Ruislip.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.