This film is part of Free
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_480x270/public/hero-images/bba5c279878a5590b179a5a822818eda.jpg?itok=inI5D5mh)
Wheel in Britain
Speeding round Britain by bike: taking in the scenery in a 1,600-mile competitive tour.
Overview
A vintage treat for cycling fans, this film of 1953's 1,600-mile Tour of Britain (later the Milk Race) includes valuable footage of Europe's leading competitive cyclists of the day, plus tantalising glimpses of many English, Welsh and Scottish locations. The Tour was then sponsored by the Daily Express, and the film by Dunlop. It's more extended newsreel than advertising - an ultra-soft sell.
Significantly, no director is credited: the film was clearly put together in the cutting-room, from footage by four cameramen covering different sections of the route. It's an interesting example of filmed sport in the period before live TV coverage took off, with lots of good close-up travelling footage of the cyclists and even the odd overhead shot from a helicopter. Dunlop commissioned the film from Verity Films, the busiest producer of sponsored films in the postwar years. They turned in a solid, 'mid-market' production boasting skilful photography (filmed silent) and a very informative commentary, albeit slightly undermined by grating canned music. For no good reason, the chief narrator, a typical Received Pronunciation type, hands the baton to a colleague with stage-Scots voice when the race crosses the border...
Related
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/017a15c4065f1c75d44962efb127cfe9.jpg?itok=n2_LG7ym)
Cycling Stunt Man Cycling Stunt Man
Non-Fiction 1974 3 mins Location: Gloucester
Gloucester's answer to Evel Knievel may not be able to afford a motorbike but he won't let that deter him...
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/promo210428498_2.jpg?itok=N3t4GCQD)
Race for the Muratti Cup at Manchester Wheelers' Annual Meet (1901) Race for the Muratti Cup at Manchester Wheelers' Annual Meet (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 15 mins Silent Location: Manchester
Exciting scenes of amateur cycling's 'Race of Champions' at Manchester's Fallowfield track.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/promo256322428.jpg?itok=EWPnjxDa)
Flying the Foam and Some Fancy Diving Flying the Foam and Some Fancy Diving
Sport 1906 2 mins Silent Location: Brighton
Innovative early 'trick' film showing the popular 'flying the foam' stunt performed on - or rather off - Brighton's West Pier.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/promo228566806_3.jpg?itok=7H9OL_G_)
Herne Hill - Pedals & Puddles Herne Hill - Pedals & Puddles
Non-Fiction 1927 1 mins Silent Location: Herne Hill
The adrenaline rush of a race at South London's famous velodrome at the height of a cycling boom.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/f05799c39e4cab79e6fe9614ba506325.jpg?itok=OsPOFhjj)
Riding High Riding High
Comedy 1939 mins
The sedate peace of Victorian England is disrupted by bumbling comedian Claude Dampier and that miracle of modern transport - the penny farthing...
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/promo229788973_3.jpg?itok=GM-eKwFh)
Woman Wheelers Woman Wheelers
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Herne Hill
Women cyclists go for gold! Singer Gracie Fields presents the grand prize at South London's premier women's cycling event.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/LondonLateEmperorOfJapan_2-1080.jpg?itok=IVybLF51)
London: Late Emperor of Japan London: Late Emperor of Japan
Non-Fiction 1912 0 mins Silent Location: London
Journalists congregate outside the Japanese embassy in London following the announcement of the death of the Emperor Meiji.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/TwoDosa.jpg?itok=k1NmSTeV)
Two Dosas Two Dosas
Comedy 2014 16 mins Location: London
Geeky Pavan takes his 'English Rose' on a date to the most authentic Indian restaurant in the city. To his horror she goes off-menu, in Hindi...
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Pall%2520Mall%2520and%2520Hyde%2520Park%2520Corner.jpg?itok=WiN6Ffcr)
Pall Mall and Hyde Park Corner Pall Mall and Hyde Park Corner
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: London
Capital scenes thanks to Victorian filmmakers
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Queen%2520Victoria%2527s%2520Diamond%2520Jubilee%2520-%2520Paul%2520-%2520York%2520Road%2520-%2520Bands.jpg?itok=Rt1HCgWg)
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Bands Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Bands
Non-Fiction 1897 1 mins Silent Location: London
The Band of the First Life Guards approaches Westminster Bridge during Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Foundling-Hospital-Sports-Day.jpg?itok=jDZE2UvH)
Foundling Hospital Sports Day Foundling Hospital Sports Day
1899 2 mins Silent Location: London
A sports day gives the young residents of the Foundling Hospital a chance to let off steam
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Lord%2520Roberts%2527%2520Arrival%2520in%2520London.jpg?itok=v96Q8iLx)
Lord Roberts' Arrival in London Lord Roberts' Arrival in London
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Location: London
A conquering Boer War hero enjoys a rapturous homecoming parade
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Shoot-Your-Shot-02.jpg?itok=KREdlpBS)
Shoot Your Shot Shoot Your Shot
Drama 2022 12 mins
An emotional stand-off takes flight, as teen best friends Ronit and Brennan come to terms with navigating that fuzzy feeling in their stomachs, all whilst learning to skateboard.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/%25E2%2580%258ELook-Like-You-02.jpeg?itok=2R3w9luT)
Look Like You Look Like You
Drama 2022 13 mins
While visiting the adoptive family of her eight-year-old biological son, Tara relays advice she gathered from growing up as a queer outcast.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Yellow-04.jpg?itok=Bt5NDkC8)
Yellow Yellow
Drama 2023 13 mins
In Taliban controlled Afghanistan, Laili walks into a Chadari store in Kabul to buy her first full body veil from a Talib shopkeeper and face a new future.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/NEHEMICH-02.jpg?itok=ba9fjUy4)
Nehemich Nehemich
Drama 2023 23 mins
Banished in a dilapidated village hut during her menstruation, a young girl waits to elope with her lover.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/1717526943-default-ovp-poster-image.jpg?itok=Fk8VLsGa)
Interview with Pam Cullen Interview with Pam Cullen
Inside Film 2020 53 mins
Interview with Pam Cullen who at 97 boasts an incredible career spanning over fifty years in the Indian film industry.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/muscleqanda.jpg?itok=8sw22r7R)
Muscle - Exclusive Q&A Muscle - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 34 mins
Director Gerard Johnson talks Nia Child through the making of Muscle, an adrenalized drama that tears into the stereotypes of masculinity and male friendship.