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A moving tour through lively turn-of-the-century Southampton.
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent
This magnificent 'phantom ride' vividly animates Southampton High Street at the turn of the 20th century. The archway of the medieval stone wall through which the tram passes will be instantly familiar to locals. As the tram emerges from the archway, a long-dead world startlingly comes to life: horse-drawn carriages meander slowly along the road, unfamiliar shops line the street and people walk around in the late-Victorian fashions of the day.
Phantom rides' - films shot from a moving vehicle to give an impression of travel - were one of the most striking sensations of the early film period.
Non-Fiction 1898 2 mins Silent Location: Conwy Castle
Conwy's bridge, castle and station glide past, as if in a dream, in this beautiful phantom train ride film (no ghosts but apparently no train either) from 1898.
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins Silent
A hypnotic study of the wake of a ship at sea
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent
An unusual view of Paris, shot from a boat travelling down the Seine. You can even see the Eiffel tower - almost!
Non-Fiction 1897 5 mins Silent Location: Tay Bridge
Stunning train's eye views across the Tay rail bridge from Fife to Dundee
Non-Fiction 1900 2 mins Silent
Admire the view but don't look down, as this short film takes you on a breathtaking trip through the Alps
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins
With energetic waving of handkerchiefs to those on shore, a large steamship heads off
Advert 1975 21 mins Location: Southampton
Enjoy this kaleidoscope of images taken aboard the MS Vistafjord - for an exclusive holiday cruise setting sail from Southampton
1900 1 mins Silent Location: Southampton
Volunteers prepare for the long journey to South Africa
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent Location: Southampton
City Imperial Volunteers head for the Boer War battleground
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins Silent Location: Southampton
This close view of departing troops gets up close and personal with soldiers off to the Boer War.
Documentary 1899 1 mins Silent Location: Southampton
With grim news from the Boer War, a popular military commander is given a fond farewell as he leaves to take command
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Location: Southampton
Back in Blighty - after fighting in the Boer War, these volunteer soldiers are heading home to London and Middlesex
Travelogue 1953 21 mins Location: York
The Stationmaster at York guides us through a typical day, from dawn to dusk.
Industry sponsored film 1960 24 mins
A new luxury express is put through its paces. This film looks over the shoulders of the select band of craftsmen, engineers and operators, whose combined skills try to ensure that a train journey is a delightful experience.
Industry sponsored film 1957 20 mins
Illustrating the efficiency of express freight trains, and how they link manufacturers with their customers at the other end of Britain.
Documentary 1952 30 mins
Examining a day in the life of what was then the busiest railway system in the world – British Railways.
Documentary 1973 15 mins
British Transport Films record the varied daily lives of their neighbours as seen from the high roof of their building in London’s Marylebone.
Industry sponsored film 1957 9 mins
A 1957 film examining the future for British Railways, and some of the opportunities provided by a new modernisation plan.
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