The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Grand Prix
Hanging out with the superstars of 70s Grand Prix motor racing including the fastest woman in the world.
From the collection of:
Overview
The fastest cars and drivers on earth chase a dangerous dream of glory at popular Brands Hatch. Grid girls and TV crews join the crowds enjoying the exhilarating battles of these 70s speed merchants looking for a Grand Prix win, and sneaking a peak at champion drivers – playboy James Hunt and his race rival Niki Lauda in a Ferrari, Graham Hill in his last British Grand Prix, and Lella Lombardi, aka the Tigress of Turin, attracting autograph hunters at her debut in Formula One.
This film was made by Middlesbrough-based amateurs Peter Whitaker and Betty Cook, who was also the President of the Cleveland Cine Club and the North East Cine Society. She filmed many events in the north east region from the 1960s through to the 1980s. Cook and her husband were devoted fans of motor racing and volunteer marshals for the British Grand Prix so they frequently had good access to the pits, a prime spot for her camera to capture many well-known drivers and championship cars over the years.
Related
Watch for free
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
Watch for free
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Watch for free
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Watch for free
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
Watch for free
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
Watch for free
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.