This film is part of Free

England of Elizabeth
Visible traces and the spirit of an age; of Elizabeth I, Drake, Raleigh and Shakespeare.
Overview
British Transport Films' apolitical and respectful glimpse of distant Tudor England features a memorable commentary from Alec Clunes and a magnificent musical score by Ralph Vaughan-Williams, and looks back in wonder at the era of Shakespeare and the first Queen Elizabeth. The film's purpose is partly to encourage audiences to visit some of the historical attractions that go on to be shown, but as in all the best BTF films, 'promotion' is very subtle, while deeper meanings are lightly brushed upon. Parallels between the original and the current 'Elizabethan age' are unstressed but obvious, yet the optimism is never brash - indeed, it has undertones of a melancholy classic.
Related

New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Bell 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.

Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.

All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.

Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.