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A grand turn out for the last Henley Royal Regatta before World War I.
Non-Fiction 1914 1 mins Silent
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.
Comedy 1914 14 mins Silent Location: Twickenham
The intrepid Lieutenant Pimple thwarts foreign enemies in an action-packed wartime spy spoof.
Non-Fiction 1914 1 mins Silent
The police of Mexico City are given arms during the Mexican Revolution, but seem somewhat unconvincing in this ceremonial parade.
Non-Fiction 1914 mins Silent
A wartime call-to-arms performed by the Band of the Grenadier Guards.
Non-Fiction 1914 1 mins Silent
Belgian soldiers and civilian refugees gather in Ostend in early WWI, before evacuating to England.
Non-Fiction 1914 1 mins Silent
The ruins of an unnamed Belgian town early in WWI.
Variety show 1914 3 mins Silent
Early Vivaphone film capturing a jolly music hall routine about a maharajah's visit to London, made to be screened with a synchronised sound disc.
Sport 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Henley-on-Thames
It's the first weekend of July 1901, and high society are on the Thames
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
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins Silent Location: Henley-on-Thames
Jolly boating weather as the hordes descend on Henley for the Regatta.
Documentary 1934 12 mins Silent Location: London
Hunger marchers demonstrate and the London season opens: the contrast between rich and poor in 1930s Britain
1974 3 mins Location: Henley-on-Thames
Visit the 1974 Royal Regatta in this film from the Central Office of Information
Travelogue 1929 11 mins Silent Location: Lewes
From Lewes to York, Pathe Pictorial takes a whistlestop tour of the picturesque sights of England
Comedy 1896 1 mins Silent
A deft music hall act adapted for film, featuring the only known appearance of pioneer filmmaker Robert Paul
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.
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.
1935 16 mins
A rare glimpse of 1930s London in colour: the Thames has never looked lovelier.
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.
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.
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