London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
This film is part of Free
Tartan Laying at Crystal Palace
Detailed recording of the many process involved in laying the Tartan track at the Crystal Palace Athletics Stadium ahead of the 1968 Olympics.
From the collection of:
Overview
Tartan, a brand of rubberised synthetic athletics surface, was the first of its kind in a move away from the common 'all weather' surfaces, which were typically made of cinder and stone. Tartan was manufactured by 3M, and would be the track of choice for the upcoming 1968 games in Mexico City. As such, British Olympians were keen to get practicing on the Crystal Palace track shown being laid in thie film. Sadly no Britain would win an athletics medal in Mexico.
This film is from the collection of Enfield Local Studies Library and Archive
Related
Watch for free
Drill of the Kansas City Fire Department Drill of the Kansas City Fire Department
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins Silent Location: Crystal Palace
Incredible scenes at Crystal Palace highlight cutting edge firefighting 1900 style
Watch for free
RT Buses in SE London RT Buses in SE London
Industry sponsored film 1978 4 mins Silent Location: Crystal Palace
Take a trip down memory lane to a time when a fleet of the popular RT buses serves the capital and congestion is still a thing of the future.
Watch for free
Opening of Crystal Palace Track inc. 100 yards & Long Jump Opening of Crystal Palace Track inc. 100 yards & Long Jump
Amateur film 1968 2 mins Silent Location: Crystal Palace
On your marks, get set, go! Athletes grace the new running track at Crystal Palace with a series of thrilling athletics events and races.
Watch for free
Racing at Brooklands Racing at Brooklands
Amateur film 1930 7 mins Silent Location: Brooklands
The Kings of Speed - 30s style - thrill the crowds at Brooklands - the world's first purpose built motor racing circuit
Watch for free
Greatest Football Game of 1911 Greatest Football Game of 1911
Sport 1911 0 mins Silent Location: Crystal Palace
It’s the 40th FA Cup final and Bradford City face Newcastle United.
Watch for free
Tall Ships at Erith Tall Ships at Erith
Amateur film 1975 5 mins Silent Location: Erith
Lose all sense of time as Tall ships, dinosaurs and Spitfires make for a temporally confusing trip through South London.
Watch for free
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.
Watch for free
Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 73 mins
Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.
Watch for free
Jon M. Chu: The Wizard of Wicked Jon M. Chu: The Wizard of Wicked
Inside Film 2025 49 mins
Director Jon M. Chu discusses his ground-breaking vision of Oz.
Watch for free
Yorgos Lanthimos Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Yorgos Lanthimos Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 66 mins
Yorgos Lanthimos sits down with Succession creator Jesse Armstrong to reveal the secret ingredients that underpin his uniquely weird brand of satire.
Watch for free
Islands - Extended Q&A Islands - Extended Q&A
Inside Film 2025 31 mins
Director Jan Ole Gerster and actor Sam Riley talk about Islands, a thriller with noirish undertones and echoes of Hitchcock and Highsmith.
Watch for free
Lynne Ramsay Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Lynne Ramsay Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 67 mins
Lynne Ramsay discusses her singular career populated by visually intoxicating, ground-breaking and provocative films.