This film is part of Free

Flying a Kite
In the year the Wright Brothers made their first flight, an Edwardian family film themselves taking to the skies… sort of.
Overview
The Passmore family were pioneers of the home movie at a time when few had access to film equipment, so these surviving films are a real treasure trove. It's strange to think that when this was filmed, even the box kite itself was a relatively new invention, developed in 1893 by another pioneer in the pursuit of flight, Lawrence Hargrave. Probably filmed on Streatham Common near the Passmore home, it appears the enthusiasm of the children - Brian, Mavis and Margaret - was greater than the wind speed that day.
Related

Local Scenes and Family Pictures Local Scenes and Family Pictures
Amateur film 1927 14 mins Silent
Grandma and Grandad also join in the fun of this home movie - with beaches, swings & roundabouts and a medieval pageant led by Christopher Robin

Midsummer Madness - An Idiotic Idyll Midsummer Madness - An Idiotic Idyll
Amateur film 1933 2 mins Silent
Four bright young things enact a midsummer's love tryst among the daisies in this short, well-crafted amateur fiction film.

Psyche's Wedding Psyche's Wedding
Home movie 1920 10 mins Silent Location: Devon
Bright young things thereto plight troth in a society wedding.

The Witch's Fiddle The Witch's Fiddle
Amateur film 1924 7 mins Silent
Gotta dance! A bewitched violin gets everyone's feet tapping.

Marjorie Glasspool Films Her Family in Alton Marjorie Glasspool Films Her Family in Alton
Amateur film 1930 8 mins Silent Location: Hampshire
Marjorie Glasspool's home movie captures a variety of events and occasions experienced by a Hampshire family

The Scarlet Woman The Scarlet Woman
Comedy 1924 44 mins Silent Location: Hampstead Heath
Catholic fantasy starring Elsa Lanchester and Evelyn Waugh in an Andy Warhol fright wig.

Jumping over Tennis Net Jumping over Tennis Net
Home movie 1903 1 mins Silent Location: Streatham
The grown-ups of the Passmore clan let out their inner children as they leap over a tennis net in this early home movie

Streatham Children's Pageant Streatham Children's Pageant
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent Location: Streatham
Time for Britannia to get off the bus - the Queen is coming to Streatham

Our Business Is Fun Our Business Is Fun
Documentary 1975 60 mins Location: Streatham
Meet Futuristic Fred, the celebrated fairground artist from Streatham.

Silver Blades Ice Skating Silver Blades Ice Skating
Promotional 1963 7 mins Location: Streatham
Streatham goes dancing on ice at the coolest place in town.

Afrika Bambaataa on Afrofuturism (Q&A) Afrika Bambaataa on Afrofuturism (Q&A)
Inside Film 2014 45 mins
Afrika Bambaataa and DJ, musician and filmmaker Don Letts discuss the development of Afrofuturism and its key artists.

Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass) Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2011 33 mins
Over 30 years and 150 projects, the composer shares, with humour and passion, the intricacies of making film music.

Ian Neil (Masterclass) Ian Neil (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2012 74 mins
Neil selected soundtracks for 127 Hours, Shame, Kick Ass, Control and many more. He discusses the job and its complexities, referencing his own work.

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'.

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.

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.