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
Video Player is loading.
Coastal Camping in Cornwall
Home movie maker films family in Cornish field
In partnership with:
Overview
By the 1970s camping was well established as tent holidays became accessible to most families and labour laws instituted annual paid leave for all. By the 1970s holidaymakers queued to get into the West Country and everyone seemed to holiday at the same time. How nice then to have a field to yourself in a more inaccessible corner of Cornwall at Sennen, very near to Land's End.
This film provides a quick video diary of arriving, visiting and leaving. If vlogging is the early twenty-first century phenomenon then home movie making is the late twentieth century one. Cine cameras become cheaper, more accessible and easy to use and treasured family occasions such as summer holidays, weddings, birthdays and outings, familiar to many, are popular as everyone becomes a filmmaker. This also spawns an industry creating content for broadcast and the internet. This forms part of the Parsons family collection. They were keen amateur filmmakers from the 1920s to the 1970s and returned to the same spot at Sennen capturing their exploits on different film stocks.
Related
Watch for free
Visit to Germany Visit to Germany
Home movie 1936 28 mins Silent
Lloyd George tours the sights of Nazi Germany while his chauffeurs lark about with an SS Officer in this grimly fascinating film.
Watch for free
Family and Friends Family and Friends
Home movie 1962 24 mins Silent
An intimate portrait of the family life of the Taberhams, including Ruth and Tigger Cat at Christmastime, idling in the garden, and a wedding.
Watch for free
Cwrt-yr-Ala - Twins Cwrt-yr-Ala - Twins
Home movie 1948 8 mins Silent Location: Michaelston-le-Pit
A newly-built, dream home in Michaelston-le-Pit, Cardiff, where industrialist H H Merrett’s grandchildren have ample space to play.
Watch for free
George's Party and Porthcawl Prom George's Party and Porthcawl Prom
Home movie 1957 14 mins Silent Location: Porthcawl
Socialising at home - on George’s birthday, perhaps, and at Christmas – and walking the promenade.
Watch for free
Arthur Conan Doyle Relaxes with his Family at Windlesham Arthur Conan Doyle Relaxes with his Family at Windlesham
Amateur film 1929 17 mins Silent
The creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, relaxes with his family in Windlesham and goes on tour to Egypt, Africa and Australia
Watch for free
Golden Wedding At Ellel House Golden Wedding At Ellel House
Home movie 1950 4 mins Silent Location: Galgate
50 years together - congratulations! A family celebration of a long and happy married life.
Watch for free
Camping Holiday at Sennen Camping Holiday at Sennen
Home movie 1968 1 mins Silent Location: Sennen
Steady now as handheld captures camping holiday
Watch for free
Beach Holiday at Sennen Cove Beach Holiday at Sennen Cove
Home movie 1930 9 mins Silent Location: Sennen
Holidays are close to home for the Parsons' family.
Watch for free
Holiday at Sennen Cove Holiday at Sennen Cove
Amateur film 1955 3 mins Silent Location: Sennen
Family enjoys the beach and a lunchtime pasty
Watch for free
Three Dogs in a Boat Three Dogs in a Boat
Amateur film 1930 2 mins Silent Location: Sennen
Sink or swim as Rub and his chums are set adrift
Watch for free
Parsons' Pets Parsons' Pets
Amateur film 1930 9 mins Silent Location: Sennen
A plethora of pets and their owners, the Parsons
Watch for free
Eileen and her show horse Eileen and her show horse
Amateur film 1930 3 mins Silent Location: Sennen
Eileen and her show horse take to the ring as sidesaddle falls out of favour
Watch for free
Lois Burwell on movie makeup Lois Burwell on movie makeup
Inside Film 2013 17 mins
Lincoln, Braveheart and Magnolia make-up artist Lois Burwell explains how she created some of her most iconic looks, as part of a BAFTA Masterclass.
Watch for free
Gabriel Yared on composing for film Gabriel Yared on composing for film
Inside Film 2013 11 mins
Composer of The Lives of Others, The English Patient and Betty Blue on intimacy and experimentation.
Watch for free
Screenwriters' Lecture with Brian Helgeland Screenwriters' Lecture with Brian Helgeland
Inside Film 2012 27 mins
L.A. Confidential's screenwriter explains why he thinks writer's block is a myth, and reveals Clint Eastwood's unique powers of persuasion.
Watch for free
Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan
Inside Film 2012 mins
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy's adapter reveals his quest for "the poem of the book" and the importance of simplicity: 'Drain the pond to find the fish'.
Watch for free
Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass) Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass)
2013 61 mins
British cinematographer of The Hurt Locker, Captain Phillips, Hillsborough and Riff Raff reviews the art of the moving image.
Watch for free
Olivier Assayas (Masterclass) Olivier Assayas (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2010 41 mins
Irma Vep writer/director Assayas moved from film journalism to filmmaking – a fascinating journey told with disarming honesty to Jonathan Romney.