This film is part of Free
Rudge-Whitworth - Britain's Best Bicycle
A gentleman cyclist learns the error of his ways in one of the earliest surviving British film advertisements.
Overview
Motion picture advertising was barely five years old when this Edwardian promo was made. Our gentleman cyclist looks rather worse for wear. If only he had a new Rudge-Whitworth bicycle he'd be a happier man! With its short, 30-second duration and simple, humorous message, this entertaining commercial shows that the wheel of screen advertising has turned full circle.
Rudge-Whitworth, formed in 1894 from the merger of the Rudge Cycle Co. and the Whitworth Cycle Co., was one of Britain's leading manufacturers of bicycles and motorcycles. The company reached its peak in the early 1930s, but suffered in the Depression. The bicycle business was ultimately sold to Raleigh, which kept the name alive for many years.
Related
Mr.........Goes Motoring Mr.........Goes Motoring
Advert 1925 3 mins Silent
Deceptively simple early animated ad for Shell petrol
Trojan Car Advert Trojan Car Advert
Advert 1926 10 mins Silent Location: York
There's no need to renew your socks with the Trojan Utility Car - you simply can't afford not to have one!
Vinolia Soap Vinolia Soap
Advert 1898 1 mins Silent
One of the earliest films showing off a brand: three women pack Vinolia soap into boxes
The Spirit of His Forefathers The Spirit of His Forefathers
Advert 1900 1 mins Silent
One of the earliest surviving British adverts
Changing Hues Changing Hues
Advert 1922 5 mins Silent
Pretty in Pink 1920s style: an innovatively hand-coloured cinema advert for Twink dye.
Cinema Commercial - Candy Cushions Cinema Commercial - Candy Cushions
Advert 1920 2 mins Silent
Cinema snacks that don’t leave you with sweet nothing when the box is empty.
Showgirls is a Western Showgirls is a Western
Short documentary 2025 2 mins
In this mini video essay, BFI contributor Maha Al-Badrawi explains why Paul Verhoeven's Showgirls is a rhinestoned, stilettoed Western.
Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion
Short documentary 2026 22 mins
Filmmaker Andrea Luka Zimmerman and curator Matthew Barrington discuss Frederick Wiseman’s High School with Sandra Hebron.
Hard, Cracked the Wind Hard, Cracked the Wind
Horror 2019 17 mins
A haunting with words is the lure between life and death for a young Cornish poet.
A Last Resort A Last Resort
Comedy 2022 17 mins
Rose is desperate to celebrate her 60th birthday in style, but her daughter Genevieve is struggling to ignore some recent tragic news about her mum.
Seagull Seagull
Horror 2022 6 mins
Seagull is a recovering drug addict who is about to have a very strange night on The English Riviera.
The Walk The Walk
Drama 2023 12 mins
Adeel Akhtar portrays a man on a weekly trek to his nearest JobCentre, entering a state of purgatory through barriers put in place by the system.