Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is currently unavailable
Construction in Croydon
A unique and amazing record showing old Croydon succumbing to the relentless advance of high-rise office blocks.
From the collection of:
Overview
This superb record of the transformation of East Croydon bears witness to the impact of change in the urban environment across Britain at the time. We see the terrified little buildings of old Croydon marked out for destruction while high-rise office blocks arise in their place. Streets and thoroughfares are carved up as new underpasses are constructed, yet, despite it all, we see people who live and work in the town still going about their daily business.
Related
Croydon and Gatwick Airport Croydon and Gatwick Airport
Amateur film 1955 8 mins Silent Location: Croydon
Members of the Surrey Flying Club erect their clubhouse at Croydon aerodrome while a few miles to the south we see Gatwick's pre-war terminal
Croydon Flyover Croydon Flyover
Amateur film 1974 1 mins Silent Location: Croydon
Shot only five years after its opening, this film showcases the Croydon Flyover in all its concrete glory.
Holiday News of Bracklesham Holiday News of Bracklesham
Amateur film 1937 14 mins Silent Location: Croydon
Join the Hinchcliffs at Bracklesham Bay in this family film from 1937 - with beachside frolics, sand yachts and Uncle Bert’s fishing lessons
Jubilee Jubilee
Amateur film 1977 5 mins Silent Location: Croydon
It's all bell bottoms and bunting as families gather to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee.
The New Croydon The New Croydon
1963 9 mins Location: Croydon
Jaunty, optimistic look at Croydon being reconstructed in the 1960s, with large concrete towers presented as a symbol of a bright new future.
Ross Family Pictures Ross Family Pictures
Amateur film 1933 17 mins Silent Location: Croydon
Join the Ross family and friends - and a frisky fox terrier - for fun in the garden, frolics on the beach and plane-spotting at Croydon Aerodrome
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.
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.