This film is currently unavailable

Henley Finals Witnessed by Enormous Crowds
A grand turn out for the last Henley Royal Regatta before World War I.
Overview
The 1914 Henley Royal Regatta was as popular as ever despite the war clouds gathering. Staged annually since 1839, Henley is a solid British tradition awash with prestige and ceremony: perfect fare for the newsreels. Boaters and bow-ties abound in these charming scenes of well-to-do spectators surveying the action from the vantage of their punts. And you can just see some rowing in the background!
High-profile international sporting contests roused Britain's patriotism then as now. In 1914, the home teams clearly didn't fare so well, with Harvard Athletic Association winning the Grand Challenge Cup and Italians winning the Diamond. Perhaps that's why the camera focuses on the crowds, all-but ignoring the action. This would be the last Henley Regatta until the end of the First World War in 1919.
Related

Lt Pimple and the Stolen Submarine Lt Pimple and the Stolen Submarine
Comedy 1914 14 mins Silent Location: Twickenham
The intrepid Lieutenant Pimple thwarts foreign enemies in an action-packed wartime spy spoof.

From Antwerp to Ostend From Antwerp to Ostend
Travelogue 1914 5 mins Silent
On the brink of invasion, holidaymakers promenade while refugees shelter in beach huts on the Belgian coastline in 1914.

German Spy Peril German Spy Peril
War 1914 7 mins Silent
Inventive WWI propaganda in which a rejected volunteer foils a German plot to blow up Parliament.

A Christmas Carol A Christmas Carol
Fantasy 1914 23 mins Silent
A well-acted early version of Charles Dickens' much loved Christmas story, featuring some impressive ghost sequences.

Egypt and Her Defenders Egypt and Her Defenders
Travelogue 1914 10 mins Silent
Cairo street scenes, the pyramids, the majestic Nile and a visiting Lord Kitchener in a gorgeous tinted travelogue.

Gloves of Ptames Gloves of Ptames
Fantasy 1914 9 mins Silent
A mysterious pair of gloves from an ancient Egyptian tomb cause chaos in this silent 'trick' comedy.

The Henley Regatta The Henley Regatta
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Henley-on-Thames
It's the first weekend of July 1901, and high society are on the Thames

Arrival of Train-load of Visitors at Henley Station Arrival of Train-load of Visitors at Henley Station
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins Silent Location: Henley-on-Thames
Jolly boating weather as the hordes descend on Henley for the Regatta.

Thames River Scenery - Panorama of the Crowded River Thames River Scenery - Panorama of the Crowded River
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins Silent Location: Henley-on-Thames
Don your straw boater and join Victorians at play as you potter down the river at Henley-on-Thames

The Turn of the Tide The Turn of the Tide
Amateur film 1934 12 mins Silent Location: London
Hunger marchers demonstrate and the London season opens: the contrast between rich and poor in 1930s Britain

Henley Royal Regatta Henley Royal Regatta
1974 3 mins Location: Henley-on-Thames
Visit the 1974 Royal Regatta in this film from the Central Office of Information

Where Alfred Built Where Alfred Built
Travelogue 1929 11 mins Silent Location: Lewes
From Lewes to York, Pathe Pictorial takes a whistlestop tour of the picturesque sights of England

New Perspectives: Tangerine New Perspectives: Tangerine
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Wallace, a student at Northumbria university, explains why Sean Baker's LA-set comedy-drama, about a transgender sex worker on the hunt for her cheating -ex, is worth your time.

Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode
Inside Film 2025 44 mins
Daniel Craig talks to Mark Kermode about his acting career, from his early role in Love is the Devil through to the Luca Guadagnino directed Queer.

New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.

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