London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
This film is part of Free
Father Thames
Swans, boats and bridges are celebrated by lyrical commentary and fine images in this delightful tour of the Thames from “trivial” beginnings to torrential end.
Documentary 1935 17 mins
From the collection of:
Overview
Lovely film tracing the course of the Thames from its humble origins and featuring magnificent shots through the heart of the “grime of London”, from Hampton Court to Greenwich Palace. The lyrical commentary is a nice touch, while visual highlights include the Twickenham ferry, St Paul’s flanked by warehouses, the Pool of London and the estuary docks.
Genres
Documentary
Released
1935
Country
United Kingdom
Location
Thames HeadBletchleyOxfordWalgraveHenley-on-Thames
Language
English
Related
London's Bridges on Film
Watch for free
The Open Road The Open Road
Travelogue 2006 65 mins Location: Land's End
Startling colour photography of 1920s Britain imbues Claude Friese-Greene’s 1920s road trip around Britain.
Watch for free
Lambeth Links Lambeth Links
Documentary 1962 10 mins Silent Location: Lambeth
A colourful round up of the 1962 Lambeth Festival with fun for all, from a carnival parade to a beauty contest judged by radio’s Alan Freeman.
Watch for free
Central London Traffic Central London Traffic
Government sponsored film 1956 12 mins Location: Soho
Traffic chaos and parking pandemonium in London is nothing new - as we see from this colourful 1950s research film shot around the capital.
Watch for free
The Story of Our Food Supply The Story of Our Food Supply
Public Information Filler 1928 20 mins Silent Location: Bermondsey
The original foodie city: from bustling Bermondsey Wharves through Smithfield and Billingsgate to London's street markets and general stores.
Watch for free
Tower Bridge Road Market... Tower Bridge Road Market...
1931 5 mins Silent Location: Bermondsey
Scenes of thronging street life and market trading along Tower Bridge Road, Bermondsey Street and Southwark Park Road.
Watch for free
It Never Really Happened It Never Really Happened
Trick film 1930 4 mins Silent Location: Southwark Br
Do our eyes deceive us? Trick shots galore in this magical tour of London.
New
Watch for free
Fun on the Clothesline Fun on the Clothesline
Comedy 1896 1 mins Silent
A deft music hall act adapted for film, featuring the only known appearance of pioneer filmmaker Robert Paul
Watch for free
Saab: New Delivery Saab: New Delivery
Advert 1985 2 mins
Take a fighter jet, a Top Gun pilot with sunglasses and a brand new SAAB 900 and you have a sure-fire vehicle to launch a Hollywood career.
Watch for free
The Lost Highway The Lost Highway
Promotional 2019 10 mins
A wandering warrior dreams of a new form of expression, in this promo for UNKLE’s album The Road: Part II / Lost Highway Pt. II directed by Warren Du Preez and Nick Thornton Jones.
Watch for free
Colour on the Thames Colour on the Thames
1935 16 mins
A rare glimpse of 1930s London in colour: the Thames has never looked lovelier.
Watch for free
After Eights: Terrace After Eights: Terrace
1965 1 mins Location: York
A world away from zany humour, Richard Lester shows he can also capture the easy opulence of the upper class nibbling After Eight mints.
Watch for free
What's Missing from this Picture? What's Missing from this Picture?
Advert 1946 1 mins Silent
Life is looking up! The war is over and the “Corona” Man can visit his “Corona” families once more, door-to-door.
About the archive
Know this place?
Do you recognise a place, building or location in this film?
Help us populate the Britain on Film map by spotting and plotting the street or location you know. This is a BFI project and anyone can help.
Go to our Britain on Film crowdsourcing site and contribute to our mapping mission – to identify locations within our archive films.
Add a location