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Spectacular feats of early aviation at Hendon Aerodrome, North London.
Non-Fiction 1914 1 mins Silent
The two stars of this film, Gustav Hamel and Bentfield Hucks, were airborne celebrities, famous for pioneering stunts like 'looping the loop' - first performed by Hucks at Hendon the year before this was shot. This thrilling Topical Budget newsreel item shows the plane's dynamic take-off and the 'loop' itself, rounding off with a portrait shot of the dashing pair safely back on the ground.
Both Hucks and Hamel died tragically young. Hamel, who was also famous for delivering the first official airmail in 1911, disappeared over the English Channel just two months after this film was shot, while Hucks caught pneumonia and didn't live to see the end of the First World War.
Comedy 1914 14 mins Silent Location: Twickenham
The intrepid Lieutenant Pimple thwarts foreign enemies in an action-packed wartime spy spoof.
Travelogue 1914 5 mins Silent
On the brink of invasion, holidaymakers promenade while refugees shelter in beach huts on the Belgian coastline in 1914.
War 1914 7 mins Silent
Inventive WWI propaganda in which a rejected volunteer foils a German plot to blow up Parliament.
Fantasy 1914 23 mins Silent
A well-acted early version of Charles Dickens' much loved Christmas story, featuring some impressive ghost sequences.
Travelogue 1914 10 mins Silent
Cairo street scenes, the pyramids, the majestic Nile and a visiting Lord Kitchener in a gorgeous tinted travelogue.
Fantasy 1914 9 mins Silent
A mysterious pair of gloves from an ancient Egyptian tomb cause chaos in this silent 'trick' comedy.
Amateur film 1972 4 mins Silent Location: Hendon
Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines: planes loop-the-loop and twist and turn as Hendon's RAF Pageants are revived
Non-Fiction 1927 1 mins Silent Location: Hendon
The RAF’s founding father, Hugh Trenchard, then marshal of the Royal Air Force is shown unveiling a church foundation stone.
Non-Fiction 1928 3 mins Silent Location: Hendon
A barrage balloon goes down in flames during an impressive show of strength from the RAF at their air show in Hendon.
Non-Fiction 1928 1 mins Silent Location: Hendon
Boats and plane demonstrate their manoeuvrability in a display for crowds at Hendon
Non-Fiction 1925 1 mins Silent Location: Hendon
Impressive aerial footage of bipanes flying in formation over the fields around Hendon in north London.
Charity appeal 2020 2 mins
Beautiful NHS fundraiser, setting Michael Rosen’s poem to powerful archive images.
Non-Fiction 1901 4 mins Silent Location: Manchester
A volunteer cavalry regiment is enthusiastically welcomed home after active service in South Africa.
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
All ashore! Passengers disembark and crew offload after a long Atlantic crossing.
Non-Fiction 1902 3 mins Silent Location: Weston Park
A stroll in the park for civilised city-dwellers in Edwardian South Yorkshire.
Non-Fiction 1924 1 mins Silent Location: Woking
The UK's first purpose-built mosque welcomes a huge crowd of worshippers - and newsreel cameras!
Comedy 1914 9 mins Silent
A vicar is caught flirting with an improperly-dressed chorus girl in this saucy silent comedy.
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