Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is part of Free

Visit to China
This stunning colour film features the only known pre-war footage of Seoul as well as Beijing, the Great Wall, the Marco Polo Bridge and many other famous landmarks.
Amateur film 1938 30 mins Silent
From the collection of:

Overview
This astonishing colour film features many of China's cultural treasures including Beijing's Forbidden City and Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, the Ming Tombs, the Marco Polo Bridge, the Great Wall and the palaces of Chengde as well as amazing footage of Seoul. Life on the streets under Japanese occupation is also captured. Many activities are seen including markets, rickshaws, street children, a funeral and hundreds of camels and donkeys carrying heavy loads.
Tor H. Wistrand, who filmed these scenes, was a Swedish diplomat who was able to visit parts of China which had fallen under Japanese control. His visit to the Marco Polo Bridge was especially significant as it was the location for a notorious incident which occurred on the 7th July 1937 - an event that triggered the outbreak of total war between China and Japan. The capture of this bridge cut communications between Beijing and Kuomintang-held areas to the south and the city fell to the Japanese not long afterwards. The few visitors to the Forbidden City, as seen in this film, contrasts sharply with the current experience - where it's estimated that 7 million people visit the Imperial Palace complex each year.
Related
Beijing - Northern Capital

Modern China Modern China
Non-Fiction 1910 8 mins Silent Location: Beijing
Extraordinary and exquisite views of life and landscape in Beijing during the late Qing dynasty.

Peking and Its Surroundings Peking and Its Surroundings
Travelogue 1910 6 mins Location: Qinglongqiao
The austere beauty of the Great Wall of China's rugged mountain passes, in a travelogue tracing a caravan of camels' journey to Beijing.

Beijing - Coal Hill Street Scenes and the Forbidden City Beijing - Coal Hill Street Scenes and the Forbidden City
Amateur film 1938 15 mins Silent Location: Beijing
This delightful colour film features Beijing's Forbidden City, the Summer and Winter palaces as well as parks, processions, a drama school and a Chinese picnic.

Visit to Beijing and the Forbidden City Visit to Beijing and the Forbidden City
Amateur film 1929 2 mins Silent Location: Beijing
Beijing's Forbidden City is the star attraction in this film from the late 1920s, featuring historic buildings, the Lion's Gate and an early panorama across the city.

My Oriental Friends, From Penang to Peking My Oriental Friends, From Penang to Peking
Amateur film 1923 16 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
This unique and beautiful tour of Southeast Asia and China is a treasure trove of picturesque views of Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing.

Summer Palace Beijing and Tsientsin Summer Palace Beijing and Tsientsin
Amateur film 1929 3 mins Silent Location: Beijing
Dancing bears and camels feature in views of Beijing's Summer Palace in the late 1920s filmed by an expat couple who are later seen enjoying a traditional Chinese meal.
Forbidden City

Beijing Extract 1 c.1932 Beijing Extract 1 c.1932
Amateur film 1932 0 mins Silent Location: Beijing
This amateur film from the Eng family's collection includes views of the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven.

Beijing c.1932 Beijing c.1932
Amateur film 1932 0 mins Silent Location: Beihai Park
This home movie from the Eng family's collection includes scenes of Beihai Park and Forbidden City.

China (1928) China (1928)
Amateur film 1928 12 mins Silent Location: Forbidden City
A pair of honeymooners take in Beijing on their way to the Great Wall of China in this intrepid and intimate adventure.

Forbidden City Forbidden City
Amateur film 1933 4 mins Silent Location: Forbidden City
Take a tour around the gates of Beijing’s sprawling Forbidden City during its transition from Imperial home to World Heritage Site.

My Oriental Friends, From Penang to Peking My Oriental Friends, From Penang to Peking
Amateur film 1923 16 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
This unique and beautiful tour of Southeast Asia and China is a treasure trove of picturesque views of Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing.
New

Lord Durham at Sunderland (1901) Lord Durham at Sunderland (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 3 mins Silent Location: Sunderland
Durham Light Infantry veterans collect their medals for valour in the Boer War.

Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Richard Curtis - A Love Actually Special Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Richard Curtis - A Love Actually Special
Discussion programme 2020 38 mins
This festive season, Mark Kermode takes a deep dive into his favourite ever Christmas movie, Love Actually, with writer and director, Richard Curtis..

The Brilliant Biograph The Brilliant Biograph
Anthology 2020 52 mins Silent
Immerse yourself in an enchanting compilation of newly-restored rare images from the first years of filmmaking.

Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Kathleen Turner, Henry Blake and Julien Temple Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Kathleen Turner, Henry Blake and Julien Temple
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.

Mark Kermode Online in 3D with Meera Syal, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Greg Proops and more Mark Kermode Online in 3D with Meera Syal, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Greg Proops and more
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!

Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Morfydd Clark, Rose Glass, Segun Akinola and Be Manzini Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Morfydd Clark, Rose Glass, Segun Akinola and Be Manzini
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!