This film is part of Free

Title of error

Annual Whit-Monday Procession

An awe-inspiring spectacle: thousands of young churchgoers throng the streets of Manchester for the annual Whit holiday.

Non-Fiction 1927 1 mins Silent

Overview

The Manchester 'Whit Walks' were a newsreel favourite, and this film from 1927 shows why. The awe-inspiring procession drew churchgoers across the north west and beyond, overwhelming the city centre and flooding the cobbled streets with angelic children, pristine in their purpose-bought white frocks and sailor suits. The entrance to the famous Lewis's Arcade is visible in the final shot.

The walks, celebrating the Sunday School movement, have been taking place in Manchester since around 1800 and were originally associated with Whitsun, an annual holiday for mill-workers which fell seven weeks after Easter. Today the walk is usually scheduled for the late bank holiday in May.

Original title

Annual Whit-Monday Procession Topical Budget 824-1

Genres

Non-Fiction

Country

United Kingdom

Location

Manchester

Language

English

Subjects

Watch for free

Manchester's Welcome to the Imperial Yeomanry (1901) Manchester's Welcome to the Imperial Yeomanry (1901)

Non-Fiction 1901 4 mins Silent Location: Manchester

A volunteer cavalry regiment is enthusiastically welcomed home after active service in South Africa.

Watch for free

Shuttered Windows Shuttered Windows

Charity appeal 1934 8 mins Location: Southport

Windows of opportunity: how a charity aimed to improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people.

Watch for free

Education of the Deaf Education of the Deaf

Documentary 1946 51 mins Location: Manchester

A brisk look at the tests and education practices for deaf people in 1940s

Watch for free

Heaven Opens Heaven Opens

Amateur film 1968 29 mins Location: Manchester

Faith in the inner city - the mission of the Sharon Full Gospel Church in Manchester.

Watch for free

Apprentice Training Apprentice Training

Promotional 1958 13 mins Location: Manchester

Earning and learning, as an apprentice begins his working life.

Watch for free

Manchester Tickled Pink Manchester Tickled Pink

Amateur film 1993 2 mins Silent Location: Manchester

Manchester is 'Tickled Pink' with this annual celebration of LGBT life.

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.