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.
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High Days and Holidays
From holy days to holidays on the magical Northumbrian island of Lindisfarne.
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Overview
Lindisfarne is a haven for saints, wintering birds and a once exotic breed – the tourist. The monks have long since vanished, but the world famous island-brewed mead still fortifies the spirit of these modern pilgrims. Magnus Magnusson, better known as the presenter of TV quiz show Mastermind, guides us around the island and its majestic castle, once a Tudor fort, restored for the founder of Country Life magazine by the Arts and Crafts architect, Edward Lutyens.
This is the second of a two-part Tyne Tees Television documentary, first broadcast on 5 January 1986. Lindisfarne featured in Roman Polanski’s darkly humorous and menacing film ‘Cul-de-sac’ in 1966. Its star-studded cast descended on the island for the shoot, including Jack MacGowran and Lionel Stander as stranded gangsters, their car marooned in rising tides on the causeway (a fate that still besets visitors to the island). Donald Pleasance and Françoise Dorléac played the oddly-matched couple whose home was in the fairy tale castle perched on Beblowe Crag.
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