The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
Scilly: a Self Portrait
Scillonians of the archipelago of the Isles of Scilly narrate their stories in this documentary.
In partnership with:
Overview
The Isles of Scilly are an archipelago off the South West tip of Cornwall. Around two hundred rocky islets make up the Scillies. The five islands of St Mary's with its main settlement of Hugh Town, Tresco with New Grimsby, St Martin's with White island, St Agnes with Gugh and Bryher with Gweal are inhabited by two thousand two hundred people and are part of the Duchy of Cornwall. Islanders used to speak the Cornish language but this died out in the late Middle Ages.
North Atlantic Drift extends the Gulf Stream and the mild temperatures are conducive to a thriving bird population and flower industry. Tourism and fisheries are mainstays of the local economy with subsistence agriculture. In the first half of the tenth century it is believed the Isles of Scilly came under the rule of King Athelstan of England. On 22 October 1707 under the command of Sir Cloudesley Shovell four Royal Navy warships out of a fleet of twenty-one went down after hitting rocks in bad weather and an estimated one thousand five hundred and fifty sailors lost their lives including Shovell. The Scilly naval disaster is considered one of the worst in maritime history.
Related
Jubilee Jubilee
Current affairs 1977 13 mins Location: Bath
A special report looks into the preparations for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and her subsequent tour of the South West.
Harold Wilson retreats to St Mary's Harold Wilson retreats to St Mary's
Current affairs 1976 2 mins Silent Location: St Mary's
Former Prime Minster Harold Wilson seeks refuge on the Scillies after resigning office
Women's Gig Racing Women's Gig Racing
Current affairs 1976 1 mins Silent Location: St Mary's
Women take the Bonnet gig out for a row off St Mary’s on the Isles of Scilly
Queen Mother visits the Isles of Scilly Queen Mother visits the Isles of Scilly
Current affairs 1969 3 mins Location: St Mary's
Her Majesty The Queen Mother enjoys a rare visit to the Isles of Scilly after being warmly welcomed by the islanders of St Mary's.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.