The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
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The Constable Country
Glimpses on Super 8 film of the picturesque landmarks and pretty countryside that inspired Romantic artist John Constable's paintings.
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Overview
The countryside of the Essex-Suffolk border inspired Romantic landscape artist John Constable, who portrayed many of this area's rural landmarks on canvas, so much so, that it has become known as “Constable Country”. Amateur filmmaker Bert Gregory, a member of Clacton Cine Club, along with John Douglas and Arthur Webber made this short film, narrated by Bert Gregory, and featuring many of the villages and their landmarks that hold a connection to John Constable.
St Mary the Virgin’s Church in East Bergholt, birthplace of Constable and Flatford Mill, owned by Constable’s father, and the subject of Constable’s most famous painting, The Haywain, is featured. So too, is the picturesque Willy Lott’s Cottage, now a National Trust Property, Dedham’s 15th century St Mary’s Church, Stratford St Mary’s Church, Langham Church, and Nayland Church, all being the subject of Constable paintings. Also captured on Super 8 film is Dedham Grammar School, in which Constable attended, and Dedham Mill, again, owned and run by Constable’s father.
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