This film is part of Free
Christmas Dinner Goes to Market
Christmas is coming and the Norfolk turkey's getting fat...
Overview
These 5,000 turkeys seem blissfully unaware of their fate. Turkey farming is a longstanding Norfolk industry, alongside cider brewing and brush making. Attleborough turkey market was held annually on the first Monday of October, and was a landmark in the East Anglian agricultural calendar. When this film was made, turkeys were still regarded exclusively as a Christmas treat for the well-off.
The centrality of the turkey trade to Attleborough's prosperity is reflected in the two black Norfolk turkeys that adorn the town's sign. The town's turkey market was a staple in contemporary seasonal newsreels, including British Pathe and Movietone, but this Gaumont film's cameraman beautifully captures the sense of occasion that the event clearly inspired in the local community. More recently, the mass production of turkeys and related processed foodstuffs, such as Norfolk-born Bernard Matthews' infamous Turkey Twizzlers, made the bird a year-round, low-cost menu choice.
Related
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”.
Christmas Is Coming Christmas Is Coming
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1951 1 mins Silent
Santa's on strike! This charming animation for the GPO advises early posting to keep Father Christmas onside.
Sports on the Ice Sports on the Ice
Non-Fiction 1917 1 mins Silent
Nannies and nippers compete with seasoned skaters on a frozen pond near London in this charming wintery newsreel.
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.
Premium Bonds: Xmas 1959 Premium Bonds: Xmas 1959
1959 0 mins
The Happy (Christmas) way to save! Santa plugs Premium Bonds in a 'prize-winning' 1950s TV ad.
Goodwill To All Dogs Goodwill To All Dogs
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1960 6 mins
An animated xmas with paper dog Snap
Gaymer's Cider works Gaymer's Cider works
Documentary 1979 3 mins Location: Attleborough
The industrial process of cider-making at Gaymers in Attleborough, where the company was been based since 1896.
Ely to Wymondham by Train Ely to Wymondham by Train
Amateur film 1968 15 mins Silent Location: Ely
A train journey beginning at Ely with scenic views of the Cathedral City and passing through many of the smaller stations in rural East Anglia before arriving in Wymondham.
New Perspectives: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror New Perspectives: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Coghlan of Northumbria University explains why FW Murnau's 1922 vampire story is an endlessly intriguing work of art.
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
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.