This film is part of Free
H.M.S. "Powerful" Arriving in Portsmouth Harbour
A mighty naval cruiser returns home to Britain, covered in glory - and Nelson's ship is there to welcome it
Overview
The sight of one of the era's biggest warships coming into dock is impressive in its own right, but for the British public in 1900, this film would have been especially thrilling. H.M.S Powerful was returning from Ladysmith, which had been successfully defended by British troops, so this awesome vessel was full of returning heroes. Waiting in Portsmouth Harbour to greet H.M.S. Powerful is H.M.S Victory, formerly Lord Nelson's flagship, decked out in celebratory flags.
Related
Lord Roberts Presenting Medals to Boer War Volunteers in Liverpool (1901) Lord Roberts Presenting Medals to Boer War Volunteers in Liverpool (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 9 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces recognises war heroes old and new in front of crowds on a wet day in Edwardian Liverpool.
Royal Scots Regiment at Edinburgh Castle (1901) Royal Scots Regiment at Edinburgh Castle (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 5 mins Silent Location: Edinburgh Castle
Troops play up for the camera in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle.
Ambulance Crossing the Modder Ambulance Crossing the Modder
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins Silent
A surprisingly languid scene shot far from the Boer War battlefields.
Wooden Walls of Old England Wooden Walls of Old England
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins
Panorama of two wooden battleships, both by this time used as training ships for naval cadets
Coldstream Guards Embarking on Troopship Gascon Coldstream Guards Embarking on Troopship Gascon
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins Silent Location: Southampton
This close view of departing troops gets up close and personal with soldiers off to the Boer War.
Battle of Spion Kop: Ambulance Corps Crossing the Tugela River (1) Battle of Spion Kop: Ambulance Corps Crossing the Tugela River (1)
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent
Stunning cinematic record of a key British defeat in the Boer War
Foundation of Beauty Foundation of Beauty
Advert 1930 8 mins Silent Location: Portsmouth
The Foundation of Beauty is what lies beneath - as this parade of corsetted ladies reveal - with corsets to suit all shapes, sizes and ages
Key Key
Advert 1930 10 mins Silent Location: Portsmouth
This enjoyable 1930s info-mercial shows how you can furnish your home -and have that dream kitchen - by using the PIMCO easy payment plan
H.M.S. Powerful Moored at Portsmouth H.M.S. Powerful Moored at Portsmouth
Non-Fiction 1900 0 mins Silent Location: Portsmouth
Take a good look at one of the era's largest warships - the hefty H.M.S. Powerful, back from the Boer War
Portsmouth Guildhall Square Portsmouth Guildhall Square
Amateur film 1976 4 mins Silent Location: Portsmouth
All sorts of building styles sit cheek-by-jowl in Portsmouth's redeveloped Guildhall Square - as George Sloane's mid 1970s film shows
Construction at Portsmouth Polytechnic Construction at Portsmouth Polytechnic
Amateur film 1968 2 mins Silent Location: Portsmouth
Portsmouth Polytechnic is about to rise from its foundations in this short 1968 film from George Sloane - and there isn't a hard hat to be seen
Portsmouth from Portsdown Hill Portsmouth from Portsdown Hill
Amateur film 1962 4 mins Silent Location: Portsmouth
From the heights of Portsdown Hill you get a view of sixties Portsmouth and the distant Isle of Wight in this short film from F Howard.
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.
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.