Set up in 1977, the North West Film Archive preserves moving images made in or about Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Cumbria and offers a variety of access services to users in the public, academic and commercial sectors.
This film is currently unavailable
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Names and Launches RMS Windsor Castle 38.000 tons
The launch of a majestic liner, and a triumph for British shipbuilding skills.
From the collection of:
Overview
In summer sunshine, on 23 June 1959, crowds at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead await the arrival of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother for the launch of the RMS Windsor Castle. After the launch, the ship moves to a fitting out dock; one year on, we visit the finished vessel to see her splendid interior, before she embarks upon her sea trials.
At that time, the RMS Windsor Castle was the largest liner to have been built in England. She was built for the Union-Castle Line, carrying passengers and cargo on the Britain-South Africa route.
Related
Ship is Launched Ship is Launched
Industry sponsored film 1957 7 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
The famous Swan Hunter shipyards on the Tyne grease the slipway for another stirring launch in the prosperous 1950s.
Building and Launch of the "Crepath" at Barnstaple Building and Launch of the "Crepath" at Barnstaple
Non-Fiction 1918 5 mins Silent Location: Barnstaple
Barnstaple's experimental concrete-hulled ship gets a visit from a jolly Italian admiral.
City of Ships City of Ships
Industry sponsored film 1940 34 mins Location: Royal Albert Dock
There’s breathtaking footage of the London’s docks at their bustling peak in this informative film celebrating the work of the Port Of London Authority.
Shipyard Shipyard
1935 25 mins Location: Barrow-In-Furness
Paul Rotha’s brilliant film of the building and launch of SS Orion from the shipyards of Barrow-in-Furness.
Topical Budget 34-1 Topical Budget 34-1
Non-Fiction 1912 2 mins Silent Location: Southampton
Two of the earliest surviving editions of the Topical Budget newsreel, released in the aftermath of the Titanic disaster.
RMS Queen Mary Leaves the Clyde RMS Queen Mary Leaves the Clyde
1936 2 mins Silent
The iconic Cunard White Star liner leaves the shipyard of her birth and ventures seawards for the first time.
Rode Safely Rode Safely
Instructional 1955 37 mins Location: Liverpool
Good luck and safe motorcycling! Let the experts show you how.
Round the Wirral with a Movie Camera Round the Wirral with a Movie Camera
Advert 1934 9 mins Silent Location: Birkenhead
Birkenhead's sights, shopping opportunities and industries.
Day in Liverpool Day in Liverpool
Travelogue 1929 33 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
Metropolis meets Merseyside, as this city-symphony inspired film portrays a city thriving with modernity.
Carnival Processions in Birkenhead (1902) Carnival Processions in Birkenhead (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 13 mins Silent Location: Birkenhead
May Queens and drag queens, cadets and clowns: thousands turn out for an Edwardian fundraiser in the Merseyside town.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.
Edgar Wright on The Running Man Edgar Wright on The Running Man
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces.
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.
Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 73 mins
Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.