The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
Holidaying in the South West
A whistlestop tour of Devon and Cornwall is filmed in this holiday home movie.
In partnership with:
Overview
By the late 1950s joy has returned to the hearts of people and ordinary families are holidaying and making films. This enthusiast prefaces each location with titles (and a misspelt Devonport and Caerhays) and captures the essence of the whole holiday and the many locations visited including two boat trips, one to the Eddystone Lighthouse and the other off the coast of Mevagissey. This film also shows swimmers and surf riders at Perranporth with Crest surfboards.
This is before the days of steadycam technology or the realism of the Dogme 95 collective whose directors took an in among the action view of filmmaking using no tripods, props or effects. Interminable pans and wobbly shots are normal for the amateur on a handheld camera and acceptable to the private viewers reliving holiday moments months later in their living rooms. The colourful 16mm film stock is distinctly Kodachrome, popular from its launch in the 1930s until 1961 when Eastman Kodak introduced Kodachrome II film. Kodachrome, discontinued in 2010, was also the preferred film of National Geographic stills photographer Steve McCurry.
Related
Watch for free
Visit to Germany Visit to Germany
Home movie 1936 28 mins Silent
Lloyd George tours the sights of Nazi Germany while his chauffeurs lark about with an SS Officer in this grimly fascinating film.
Watch for free
Family and Friends Family and Friends
Home movie 1962 24 mins Silent
An intimate portrait of the family life of the Taberhams, including Ruth and Tigger Cat at Christmastime, idling in the garden, and a wedding.
Watch for free
Cwrt-yr-Ala - Twins Cwrt-yr-Ala - Twins
Home movie 1948 8 mins Silent Location: Michaelston-le-Pit
A newly-built, dream home in Michaelston-le-Pit, Cardiff, where industrialist H H Merrett’s grandchildren have ample space to play.
Watch for free
George's Party and Porthcawl Prom George's Party and Porthcawl Prom
Home movie 1957 14 mins Silent Location: Porthcawl
Socialising at home - on George’s birthday, perhaps, and at Christmas – and walking the promenade.
Watch for free
Arthur Conan Doyle Relaxes with his Family at Windlesham Arthur Conan Doyle Relaxes with his Family at Windlesham
Amateur film 1929 17 mins Silent
The creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, relaxes with his family in Windlesham and goes on tour to Egypt, Africa and Australia
Watch for free
Golden Wedding At Ellel House Golden Wedding At Ellel House
Home movie 1950 4 mins Silent Location: Galgate
50 years together - congratulations! A family celebration of a long and happy married life.
Watch for free
Flashboat Race at Cawsand Flashboat Race at Cawsand
News 1967 10 mins Location: Cawsand
Competitors take to flashboats and demonstrate speed and agility on the sea.
Watch for free
Maker Holiday Maker Holiday
Documentary 1959 10 mins Location: Cawsand
Children from East Ham pitch a tent and enjoy the sites in Cawsand, Cornwall.
Watch for free
Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion
Short documentary 2026 22 mins
Filmmaker Andrea Luka Zimmerman and curator Matthew Barrington discuss Frederick Wiseman’s High School with Sandra Hebron.
Watch for free
A Last Resort A Last Resort
Comedy 2022 17 mins
Rose is desperate to celebrate her 60th birthday in style, but her daughter Genevieve is struggling to ignore some recent tragic news about her mum.
Watch for free
Hard, Cracked the Wind Hard, Cracked the Wind
Horror 2019 17 mins
A haunting with words is the lure between life and death for a young Cornish poet.
Watch for free
The Walk The Walk
Drama 2023 12 mins
Adeel Akhtar portrays a man on a weekly trek to his nearest JobCentre, entering a state of purgatory through barriers put in place by the system.
Watch for free
Seagull Seagull
Horror 2022 6 mins
Seagull is a recovering drug addict who is about to have a very strange night on The English Riviera.
Watch for free
Octopus Octopus
2021 13 mins
Upon returning to her home town for a funeral, a young woman reconnects with the friends she left behind.