The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
Basking shark off Mousehole in Cornwall
Basking shark in shallow waters off Mousehole
In partnership with:
Overview
Just when you thought it safe to go back in the water, a basking shark is caught on film off the coast of Mousehole in Cornwall. The basking shark is one of three plankton-eating sharks and poses no threat to swimmers. The species is the second biggest fish after the whale shark and known for cruising along with its open mouth wide, filtering its food. They may appear in a group or school as in this film.
The basking shark follows the plankton migration and keeps to warmer waters and arrives at our temperate shores in the summer months. They are protected in some coastal waters because, at eight tonnes of fish with an enlarged liver, they are vulnerable to fishermen. The large liver retains oil and is prized in Chinese medicine and their fins are used for shark fin soup. A basking shark may grow to up to eight metres, give birth to one or two young but has no maternal instinct, once born, the young fend for themselves. The village of Mousehole is a small fishing port and lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Related
Watch for free
Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital and Sanctuary Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital and Sanctuary
Current affairs 1975 1 mins Silent Location: Mousehole
The cliffs of Raginnis Hill in Mousehole provide a perfect haven for injured birds.
Watch for free
Giant Lobster at Mousehole Giant Lobster at Mousehole
News 1963 0 mins Silent Location: Mousehole
A local lobsterman lands a giant lobster from and for the pot.
Watch for free
How do you say Mousehole? How do you say Mousehole?
News 1971 4 mins Location: Mousehole
The little harbour village of Mousehole with its Lamorna stone cottages is the subject of this report.
Watch for free
Wedding Day - Jannaud Rides Again Wedding Day - Jannaud Rides Again
Home movie 1962 3 mins Silent Location: Mousehole
The beginnings of a wedding videography industry as this home movie maker shoots to fill.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Watch for free
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.
Watch for free
Edgar Wright on The Running Man Edgar Wright on The Running Man
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces.
Watch for free
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.
Watch for free
Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 73 mins
Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.