London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
This film is part of Free
'Hoist with Its Own Petard'
Short, snappy film showing a smoke-stack from a war-time powder factory being razed by explosives.
From the collection of:
Overview
Starting with close-ups of a man industrially inserting gunpowder into the base of a chimney, the action that cuts to across the canal. An explosion sends smoke pouring from the base, and then the chimney – slowly at first, but then in a rush – plunges dramatically to the ground. In the background, you can see the Shot Tower, built in 1828 and still standing in Crane Park between Twickenham and Whitton, all that remains of a gunpowder factory dating to the reign of Henry VIII.
Related
Bath Road Motorbikes Bath Road Motorbikes
Amateur film 1961 2 mins Silent Location: Hounslow
With Bath Road their drag strip, a couple of Hounslow easy riders and their female companions ride off into the sunset in this joyride of a film
The Somme The Somme
Drama-documentary 1927 109 mins Silent Location: Hounslow
Dramatic reconstruction of the Somme
Steam engines, Syon House Steam engines, Syon House
Amateur film 1970 5 mins Silent Location: Hounslow
Richmond’s Poolman family take in the thrills and spills of a steam engine rally and jousting tournament at Syon House.
Home Guard, Hounslow Home Guard, Hounslow
Amateur film 1940 31 mins Silent Location: Hounslow
Detailed and absorbing look at the training of a battalion of the Home Guard in Middlesex captured by a local amateur film-maker.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.