This film is part of Free
Scenes at Chester on the River Dee (1901)
Messing about in boats on the River Dee - fine frocks and frolics at Chester Regatta.
Overview
1901's Chester regatta (established 1733) was reported in the local press as "a brilliant success indeed", although there was also an odd, apparently disapproving reference to the "decadence of first-class oarsmanship." Regardless, on this evidence, most of the onlookers had a grand day out, and there was also the opportunity for some romantic boat trips to secluded spots away from the bustle.
The filmmakers made some confusing editing and camera positioning decisions by today's standards, with the direction of travel along the river apparently changing between different shots. There is some uncertainty over which order each of the four short rolls were intended to be seen - they may even have been intended to be screened as four separate films.
Related
The Derby 1896 The Derby 1896
Non-Fiction 1896 0 mins Silent
A pioneering example of filmed news: from Epsom to the screen in record time
Feeding the Tigers Feeding the Tigers
Interest film 1899 1 mins Silent
A big cat has to perform for its supper in this early actuality film
H.M.S. Powerful Moored at Portsmouth H.M.S. Powerful Moored at Portsmouth
Non-Fiction 1900 0 mins Silent Location: Portsmouth
Take a good look at one of the era's largest warships - the hefty H.M.S. Powerful, back from the Boer War
Belfast Street Scenes 1890's Belfast Street Scenes 1890's
Non-Fiction 1898 2 mins Silent Location: Belfast
A view down the High Street featuring the Albert Clock, a shot of Queen's Bridge and the docks
Beach Scene Beach Scene
Non-Fiction 1897 1 mins Silent
A charming image of children paddling on a pebbly beach on a hot summer's day
Beagles Beagles
Amateur film 1898 2 mins Silent
A pack of beagles are assembled for a hunt by their trainers and a huntsman
Chester Chester
1933 10 mins Location: Chester
From the Roman ruins to the Rows, two thousand years of history in Cheshire are introduced to a wider British public
Chester Zoo, Ceredigion Church and Chapel, and Carno Chester Zoo, Ceredigion Church and Chapel, and Carno
Home movie 1965 7 mins Silent Location: Chester
Chester Zoo – built for the conservation of animals - and churches and chapels in Ceredigion and Powys that are preserved for posterity.
North Wales, England: The Land of Castles and Waterfalls North Wales, England: The Land of Castles and Waterfalls
Travelogue 1907 15 mins Silent Location: Chester
An Edwardian excursion along the crenelated coast of North Wales from the walls of Chester to the wilds of Snowdonia.
Historic Chester Historic Chester
Travelogue 1921 14 mins Silent Location: Chester
Step inside the great city walls of Chester and embark on a tour of olde-worlde charm.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Octopus Octopus
2021 13 mins
Upon returning to her home town for a funeral, a young woman reconnects with the friends she left behind.