This film is part of Free
Rough Sea at Roker (1901)
Mesmerising film of sea waves on the north east coast of England.
Overview
These two different views of sea waves at Roker on England's north east coast illustrate the popularity of this type of subject in the early years of cinema. The first, a frontal view of the shallow, sandy beach, is as satisfyingly hypnotic now as it must have been when Mitchell & Kenyon filmed it one sunny day in 1901. It's interesting to reflect that some things look exactly the same over time.
Related
Incoming Tide Incoming Tide
Non-Fiction 1898 1 mins Silent Location: Worthing
Worthing waves at us in this mesmerising early film
Rough Sea at Dover Rough Sea at Dover
Non-Fiction 1895 0 mins Silent
Waves crash onto a jetty on the Kentish shoreline in one of Britain's earliest surviving films
Waves Break on Bow of a Ship Waves Break on Bow of a Ship
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins
A vicarious ocean-going experience
Rough Sea Rough Sea
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent
Dover’s Admiralty Pier could be the setting for these Victorian shots of waves breaking.
Rough Sea Rough Sea
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent
Breaking waves at an unidentified coastal location
Waves Breaking on a Pier Waves Breaking on a Pier
Non-Fiction 1896 1 mins Silent
Intrepid tourists brave the great waves breaking on the marina wall at Brighton
Just Us Just Us
Home movie 1958 9 mins Silent Location: Roker
An intimate portrait of domestic life in 50s Roker featuring family, football and cricket.
Roker: North Dock Roker: North Dock
Amateur film 1955 9 mins Silent Location: Roker
A sketch of river life on the Wear as Sunderland’s industrial scene begins its slow decline.
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.
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.