This film is part of Free
Portobello Road Market - Personal Film - C1954
Find bric-a-brac and trinkets galore in this vividly colourful snapshot of Portobello Road Market.
Overview
Portobello's eccentric characters, its antique wares, clothing and odd assortments of bric-a-brac are all on display in this vivid amateur film. It was made by visiting Canadian Eileen D. Smith, who shot several home movies of her holidays in Britain in the 50s: compare this one with the equally colourful Petticoat Lane (1959) and Veteran Car Rally, Brighton (1962), also available on BFI Player.
Like many other famous London markets, Portobello Road had sold food and other essential items before the 1940s, when rag-and-bone men started to sell their finds. Today the market is rather more upscale.
Related
Portobello Market Portobello Market
Amateur film 1980 1 mins Location: Notting Hill
Browse the labyrinth of countless colourful stalls and grab yourself a bargain at 1980s Portobello Market
Notting Hill Carnival Notting Hill Carnival
Amateur film 1976 2 mins Silent Location: Notting Hill
Music, dancing and community characterise this short film from Notting Hill Carnival, 1976.
Carnival of Tears Today Special Carnival of Tears Today Special
Current affairs 1976 29 mins Location: Notting Hill
Special edition of the current affairs series Today about the planning of the Notting Hill Carnival and clashes with police.
Playing the Environment Game Playing the Environment Game
Documentary 1973 29 mins Location: Euston Sta
In Covent Garden, Notting Hill and Tolmers Square in London, campaigners challenge property developers' plans
Notting Hill Reel 3, Notting Hill (1966) Notting Hill Reel 3, Notting Hill (1966)
Amateur film 1966 4 mins Silent Location: Notting Hill
Fascinating scenes of street life in Notting Hill in the 1960s, showing empty roads, old pubs, rubbish-strewn streets and graffiti.
Notting Hill Reel 2, Notting Hill (1966) Notting Hill Reel 2, Notting Hill (1966)
Amateur film 1966 4 mins Silent Location: Notting Hill
Spooky, fascinating film of several London streets in West London, captured by a local man who wanted to record the area before it changed.
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.