This film is part of Free
Morris Dancing at Berkhamstead
A noble English dance tradition is preserved in Hertfordshire.
Overview
A noble 600-year-old tradition is alive and well on the streets of Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire (home to the BFI's J. Paul Getty Conservation Centre). This charming amateur film from the early 1950s shows the morris men, accompanied by the traditional pipe and tabor, making merry outside the town's fabulous Art Deco Rex Cinema, with an impressively sizeable crowd lining the High Street to watch.
Berkhamsted's Grade II listed Rex Cinema, opened in 1938, narrowly avoided dereliction and redevelopment to be restored to former glories in 2004. But the morris dance itself is the true survivor - having enjoyed a resurgence in popularity around the 1950s (when this film was shot), around 800 British troupes currently ensure that this traditional dance is not allowed to die out.
Related
Visit of H.R.H. Prince of Wales to Berkhamsted, 1935 Visit of H.R.H. Prince of Wales to Berkhamsted, 1935
Amateur film 1935 3 mins Silent Location: Berkhamsted
Amateur footage of a royal visit to the Hertfordshire town of Berkhamsted by the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII.
New Perspectives: Tangerine New Perspectives: Tangerine
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Wallace, a student at Northumbria university, explains why Sean Baker's LA-set comedy-drama, about a transgender sex worker on the hunt for her cheating -ex, is worth your time.
Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode
Inside Film 2025 44 mins
Daniel Craig talks to Mark Kermode about his acting career, from his early role in Love is the Devil through to the Luca Guadagnino directed Queer.
New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.
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.