This film is part of Free

China II
Unique footage, shot by Quaker missionaries, of Yangtze River life and landscape.
Overview
This remarkable footage was filmed during a mission to China by the Society of Friends (Quakers). One of four reels of 16mm film brought back to England, it’s mostly filmed from a riverboat, probably on the Yangtze. As often with amateur films, it makes for slightly haphazard viewing – which is rewarded with a wealth of fascinating, occasionally beautiful, imagery of people and scenery alike.
Highlights include a striking shot of a bow-hauling team on the riverbank, a motorcar being unloaded onto a barge, and fascinating scenes of local crafts and mealtimes. The film was deposited with the BFI by the Society of Friends in 1989 as part of the collection of John Cuthbert Wigham. He was an Irish-born Quaker, retired businessman and active member (later chairman) of the Friends Service Council which undertook trips to Syria, Palestine, India and Madagascar as well as China, with Wigham’s 16mm camera usually in tow.
Related

A Stilted City. Chungking. China A Stilted City. Chungking. China
Travelogue 1930 1 mins Silent Location: Chongqing
Life among the limpet-like buildings clinging to the steep banks of the Yangtze in southwest China.

Mongolia Mongolia
Amateur film 1935 42 mins Silent
Mongolian men show off their prowess in wrestling, archery and horse racing, known as the “three manly games”.

Homework and Street Scenes in China Homework and Street Scenes in China
Travelogue 1908 7 mins
Intimate vignettes of crafters, beggars and labourers in the workshops, on the streets and eating in the outdoor kitchens of imperial China.

Among the Tribes in South-West China Among the Tribes in South-West China
Documentary 1948 37 mins Silent
This alluring travelogue follows a missionary on his colourful journey into the ethnically diverse mountains of Yunnan, south west China.

Rice Cultivation in the Si-kiang Delta, South China Rice Cultivation in the Si-kiang Delta, South China
Documentary 1937 2 mins Silent
An exceptionally detailed look at the process of rice cultivation, from planting to harvesting to pounding, in the Xi Jiang Delta, Guangdong Province.

An Oriental Venice An Oriental Venice
Travelogue 1925 2 mins Silent Location: Hangzhou
Enjoy a cruise along the ancient canals of Zhejiang Province in eastern China with this gorgeous stencil-coloured travelogue

New Perspectives: Tangerine New Perspectives: Tangerine
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Wallace, a student at Northumbria university, explains why Sean Baker's LA-set comedy-drama, about a transgender sex worker on the hunt for her cheating -ex, is worth your time.

Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode
Inside Film 2025 44 mins
Daniel Craig talks to Mark Kermode about his acting career, from his early role in Love is the Devil through to the Luca Guadagnino directed Queer.

New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.

New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.

Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.

On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.