This film is part of Free
Yorkshire. Richmond Historical Pageant
Druids, Romans and Norman knights return to Richmond for the 600th anniversary of the Yorkshire town's charter.
Overview
The North Yorkshire town of Richmond sees Druids, chariot-riding Roman legionnaires, Christian maidens and Norman knights brought back to life in a magnificent pageant to celebrate the 600th anniversary of its charter, granted in 1329 by Edward III. Produced by one Mr Avalon Collard, the theatrics involved 500 local people from Richmond and nearby Swaledale. The festivities culminated with an ox roasting in the marketplace, and were "all very exhilarating", according to a report in the Yorkshire Post.
The newsreels made a specialty of such calendar customs, but this item is unusually well shot, with a variety of different angles and close-up views of the action giving an engaging sense of the pageant's drama.
Related
Not Forgotten - Homes for Disabled Men Not Forgotten - Homes for Disabled Men
Non-Fiction 1928 1 mins Silent Location: Richmond
Countess Haig, beaming, opens a block of flats for disabled ex-service employees at the Poppy Factory in Richmond.
Army VS Empire Rugger Match Army VS Empire Rugger Match
Amateur film 1940 2 mins Silent Location: Richmond
The Army rugby squad take on the Empire team in this fast-paced World War 2 match at Richmond Athletic Ground
The Torrens family visits Windsor, Kew and London The Torrens family visits Windsor, Kew and London
Amateur film 1955 8 mins Silent Location: Richmond
Join the Torrens family as they cram in as many sights as possible in their short trip to London - taking in Windsor Castle, Kew Gardens, the Tower of London and polar bears
Surrey Symphony Surrey Symphony
Amateur film 1949 11 mins Location: Kew
A picturesque look at the attractions in Surrey, including Kew Gardens, Wimbledon and Guildford
The West Riding of Yorkshire The West Riding of Yorkshire
Travelogue 1911 7 mins Silent Location: York
A chance to see England’s highest waterfall in fall force, a wonderful long gone watermill, and the Shambles in York, pre-tourism.
Ramsgate to Richmond Ramsgate to Richmond
Amateur film 1967 12 mins Silent Location: Ramsgate
Join the jolly crew aboard this cabin cruiser as it journeys from Ramsgate to Richmond in John Clague's fascinating maritime epic
Showgirls is a Western Showgirls is a Western
Short documentary 2025 2 mins
In this mini video essay, BFI contributor Maha Al-Badrawi explains why Paul Verhoeven's Showgirls is a rhinestoned, stilettoed Western. Contains spoilers!
Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion
Short documentary 2026 22 mins
Filmmaker Andrea Luka Zimmerman and curator Matthew Barrington discuss Frederick Wiseman’s High School with Sandra Hebron.
Hard, Cracked the Wind Hard, Cracked the Wind
Horror 2019 17 mins
A haunting with words is the lure between life and death for a young Cornish poet.
A Last Resort A Last Resort
Comedy 2022 17 mins
Rose is desperate to celebrate her 60th birthday in style, but her daughter Genevieve is struggling to ignore some recent tragic news about her mum.
Seagull Seagull
Horror 2022 6 mins
Seagull is a recovering drug addict who is about to have a very strange night on The English Riviera.
The Walk The Walk
Drama 2023 12 mins
Adeel Akhtar portrays a man on a weekly trek to his nearest JobCentre, entering a state of purgatory through barriers put in place by the system.