This film is part of Free
The Great Meat Show
A very 70s tour of the Royal Smithfield Show
Overview
"Arrive early and avoid the queue..." This short promotional film offers an access-all-areas pass to the annual Royal Smithfield livestock show, where the contest is on to find "the prime quality of animal". It's a meat-and-two-veg production, with characteristically 1970s macho narration teetering on the edge of kitsch: the judges, we're told "must penetrate the glamorous façade and see through the grooming and the cleanliness to the meat beneath."
Though named after the celebrated meat market, the show emigrated from Smithfield in the 19th century; by 1972 it was housed at Earl's Court Exhibition Centre, where it remained until it shut its doors for the last time in 2004. This government film is a public record, preserved and presented by the BFI National Archive on behalf of The National Archives, home to more than 1,000 years of British history.
Related
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.