This film is part of Free
The People's Land
From the white cliffs to the emerald Lakes, this patriotic Technicolor postcard of England pays tribute to the National Trust.
Overview
England; a green and pleasant land, where every view belongs on a postcard, no building was built after 1850, and the population is restricted to just seventeen people, all wearing shorts. This common portrait of the country was all the more reassuring at a time of (an unmentioned) war, when the film was first produced. This is what the fight was for, not just the land but the hammered home principle that the National Trust, which owned and cared for it, was run for the people by the people.
Related
London Line Colour No. 16 London Line Colour No. 16
Cinemagazine 1968 14 mins Silent Location: Surbiton
What do "I'm Backing Britain", electronic music and nuclear lighthouses have in common? Nothing at all, but they're all here in this 60s TV magazine show.
Nurse and Martyr Nurse and Martyr
Biopic 1915 11 mins Silent
The moving true story of wartime heroine Nurse Edith Cavell, recreated in the aftermath of her execution.
Spare Time Spare Time
Documentary 1939 14 mins Location: Sheffield
A rare glimpse into the leisure pursuits of ordinary people in pre-war Britain.
Battle Front in Britain Battle Front in Britain
Documentary 1918 24 mins Silent
Growing potatoes in Green Park plus some handy uses for your old tin cans – it’s all part of the war effort on the home front.
The Queen's State Visit to Iran The Queen's State Visit to Iran
Documentary 1961 14 mins
2-6 March 1961 saw the Queen and Prince Philip make their first and only state visit to Iran. Their host was Mohammed Reza Pahlavi (1919-80), the Shah of Iran, who had already made an official visit to Britain in 1959.
Zandra Rhodes Zandra Rhodes
Government sponsored film 1981 15 mins
Early 1980s portrait of fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, by fellow avant-garde creator, Peter Greenaway.
Southern Seaside Southern Seaside
Travelogue 1935 15 mins Silent Location: Bournemouth
Anyone for a trip to the seaside? From Bournemouth to Margate via Brighton and Folkestone – sunny delights in abundance.
The Opening of Ricemans Store in Canterbury and a Trip to Dover Castle The Opening of Ricemans Store in Canterbury and a Trip to Dover Castle
Amateur film 1962 7 mins Silent Location: Canterbury
Canterbury's newest department store opens to a colourful fanfare as this film from Peter Mills shows - along with an historical pageant, a Marine band and a trip to Dover Castle.
Canterbury and Dover Canterbury and Dover
Amateur film 1960 8 mins Silent Location: Canterbury
Peter Mills' film provides a glimpse of Canterbury and Dover in the early 1960s - where buildings, ancient and modern, sit side by side and Dover's castle is a backdrop to the port
Dover Docks & Ashford Station. Dover Docks & Ashford Station.
Amateur film 1983 2 mins Silent Location: Dover
Enjoy a look at Dover Docks in the years before the arrival of the Channel Tunnel along with a station stop at Ashford, in this short film from Alan Stingemore.
Dover Docks Dover Docks
School programme and Educational film 1985 6 mins Silent Location: Dover
A nostalgic look at Dover Docks - before the arrival of the Channel Tunnel - featuring classic cars, trucks and a monster hovercraft
Folkestone Spacious and Gracious Folkestone Spacious and Gracious
Promotional 1969 10 mins Location: Folkestone
There's something for everyone in Folkestone as this promotional film claims - including lidos, fine dining, cliff railways and the weirdest fitness machines ever seen
New Perspectives: Tangerine New Perspectives: Tangerine
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Wallace, a student at Northumbria university, explains why Sean Baker's LA-set comedy-drama, about a transgender sex worker on the hunt for her cheating -ex, is worth your time.
Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode
Inside Film 2025 44 mins
Daniel Craig talks to Mark Kermode about his acting career, from his early role in Love is the Devil through to the Luca Guadagnino directed Queer.
New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.