This film is part of Free
A grand parade of locomotives to celebrate 100 years of railways and the world’s first passenger trains
Non-Fiction 1925 19 mins Silent
1n 1825 George Stephenson made and drove the first passenger locomotive. In 1925 the London and North Eastern Railway presented a historical parade and tableaux to illustrate the subsequent development of the railways. Debenhams of York were commissioned to record the proceedings, making this film record a candidate for one of the earliest films sponsored by a railway company. This version is complete with its original tints, meaning that for the first time in decades the film can be seen as Debenhams had originally intended.
Documentary 1959 17 mins
This poetic Free Cinema documentary, filmed near Manchester, reflects on the changing world of the engineman.
Non-Fiction 1976 7 mins Location: Bridgnorth
Is Chris Tarrant up to shovelling a ton and a half of coal to keep the fire burning and the steam up between Bridgnorth and Bewdley?
Industry sponsored film 1939 45 mins Silent Location: Northampton
With the horrific effects of gas warfare still fresh in the memory, rubberised men – like extras from a 1950s British sci fi movie – prepare for more, with 1940s attention to detail.
Amateur film 1975 33 mins Silent Location: Rainhill
Come and see Rocket 150, and visit a selection of railway locations, past and preserved.
Documentary 1955 10 mins Location: Bleathgill
Snowploughs are readied to rescue a snowbound train - in one of the most popular of all British Transport Films.
Industry sponsored film 1960 24 mins
Telling the story of four British Road Services drivers who lived and worked together for two years.
Promotional 1964 11 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Is comedian Clive Dunn the Don Draper of the British advertising world? Watch this imaginative Tyne Tees TV marketing film and decide.
Amateur film 1988 13 mins Location: Darlington
A day in the life of the Lily in Darlington washing the town's dirty laundry.
Amateur film 1979 6 mins Location: Darlington
A promotional film to encourage motorcycle safety and training in Darlington.
Advert 1965 1 mins Silent Location: Darlington
There are bargains aplenty for Jean Bartlett of Darlington at her local Co-op in this upbeat 1960s ad
Amateur film 1929 4 mins Silent Location: Darlington
A full size replica of Robert Stephenson’s world famous locomotive, The Rocket, steams up a 1920s crowd at the North Road Works in Darlington.
School programme and Educational film 1965 19 mins Location: Darlington
Halcyon days for young wordsmiths at a Darlington primary school in the 1960s.
Discussion programme 2020 30 mins
The funniest, best loved and most respected film critic in the UK talks to an array of guests from the world of film including Kathleen Turner, Henry Blake and Julien Temple.
Discussion programme 2020 65 mins
The funniest, best loved and most respected film critic in the UK talks to an array of guests from the world of film including Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Meera Syal, Ben Roberts, and more!
Discussion programme 2020 55 mins
The funniest, best loved and most respected film critic in the UK talks about film culture past and present with stars such as Andy Serkis, Monica Dolan, Simon Bird, and Jason Isaacs.
Discussion programme 2020 45 mins
Mark takes a look back at the 2020 BFI London Film Festival, speaking to Festival Director Tricia Tuttle about the challenges of this year and chatting to the creators of two of the Festival’s most talked about titles: Mogul Mowgli and After Love.
Discussion programme 2020 56 mins
The funniest, best loved and most respected film critic in the UK talks to an array of guests from the world of film including Morfydd Clark, Shola Amoo, Be Manzini, and more!
Discussion programme 2020 59 mins
The funniest, best loved and most respected film critic in the UK talks to an array of guests from the world of film including Noel Clarke, Sam Riley, Fyzal Boulifa, and more!
Do you recognise a place, building or location in this film?
Help us populate the Britain on Film map by spotting and plotting the street or location you know. This is a BFI project and anyone can help.
Go to our Britain on Film crowdsourcing site and contribute to our mapping mission – to identify locations within our archive films.
Add a location
