This film is part of Free
Lowland Village
A peaceful depiction of Lavenham, Suffolk, the medieval village known for its use in the 1968 film Witchfinder General.
Overview
Although made in 1942, Lowland Village gives a distinctly pre-war view of the village of Lavenham, Suffolk. Tracing the village’s formation, its industries (weaving, farming) and traditional village life, this film describes essentially "unchanging trades" and a seasonal way of life that, even in this quiet corner of Suffolk, was about to feel the impact of war and changes in society (an airfield neighboured Lavenham from 1944-45).
In spite of its reputation as a quiet idyll for day-trippers and wool aficionados, the market square was used as a location for the disturbing horror film Witchfinder General.
Related
Around the Village Green Around the Village Green
Travelogue 1937 12 mins Location: Finchingfield
Rural life in the Essex villages of Finchingfield and Great Bardfield - and the mixed reactions of older residents to changing times.
One Foot in Eden One Foot in Eden
Documentary 1978 49 mins Location: Orkney Islands
Orkney evoked through poetry, the sounds of nature, and the music of Peter Maxwell Davies.
A Day in the Hayfields A Day in the Hayfields
Non-Fiction 1904 3 mins Silent Location: Walton-on-Thames
Midsummer haymaking larks
West of England West of England
Industry sponsored film 1951 10 mins Location: Stroud
The Stroud valleys of Gloucestershire in glorious Technicolor - and with a Laurie Lee script.
Showtime Showtime
Documentary 1984 23 mins Location: Newark-on-Trent
From shire horses to the Royal Marines, welcome to the annual Newark Show. A serious business for the farming community, with prizes to win and 800 gallons of beer to be drunk.
Springtime in an English Village Springtime in an English Village
Documentary 1944 7 mins Location: Stanion
An extraordinary and unexpected snapshot of rural life in wartime in which a young black girl is crowned Queen of the May.
Suffolk Villages Suffolk Villages
Amateur film 1964 27 mins Silent Location: East Bergholt
Leisurely picnics and gathering lavender. Herbert Smerdon and friends tour the pretty villages in rural Suffolk circa 1964.
Countryside Club Present….. Countryside Club Present…..
Travelogue 1952 7 mins Silent Location: Lavenham
This travelogue film captures the chocolate box image of some the villages in rural Suffolk which have inspired artists and enthralled visitors over the years.
Fred James Collection: East Anglian Amblings, Lavenham, Walberswick and Woodford (1956) Fred James Collection: East Anglian Amblings, Lavenham, Walberswick and Woodford (1956)
Amateur film 1956 28 mins Silent Location: Loughton
Castles, boats, sundials and dreams as London-based film-maker Fred James takes his Ford Prefect to East Anglia accompanied by his wife, who stars in a strange “dream sequence”.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.