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Other Grooves

An eccentric excursion to the furthest fringes of youth culture and alternative lifestyles, as captured in archive film and TV.

In this companion to BFI Player's Beat Generations collection you'll encounter an eclectic array of eccentrics, outsiders, activists and all who dare to be different. Among the tribes and iconoclasts represented here you'll find mods, rockers, Ufologists, New Age travellers, artists, anarchists, free thinkers, punks, pagans, skinheads, rastas, reverends and ravers. Warning: Some films in this collection include explicit adult material, including frank scenes of nudity, sexual activity and drug taking.

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Good Strong Coffee Good Strong Coffee

Advert 1968 2 mins Silent

Far-out guys and groovy gals drop doses of good strong coffee in this psychedelic 1968 ad for the hot black stuff.

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Glastonbury Festival and the First Pyramid Stage Glastonbury Festival and the First Pyramid Stage

Current affairs 1971 5 mins Location: Glastonbury

Glastonbury ley lines for iconic pyramid stage to heighten a festival-goer’s experience

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Punk In 60 Seconds Punk In 60 Seconds

Promotional 2016 1 mins

Anarchy in the UK… This rare footage presents a short blast of the punk energy that took over the streets of Britain in the late 1970s.

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Burn Your Bra! Burn Your Bra!

Current affairs 1968 2 mins Location: Truro

The Women’s Liberation movement’s burn your bra campaign hits Truro.

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Discomania Discomania

Drama 1979 24 mins Location: London

Nerdy teenage mummy's boy David dreams of wowing the girls with his disco dance moves - but alas he was born with two left feet.

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Dr Turner's Mental Home Dr Turner's Mental Home

Amateur film 1929 8 mins Silent Location: Ham Spray Ho

The wilder fringes of the Bloomsbury Group are exposed in this dark amateur film starring Dora Carrington.

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Shellshock Rock Shellshock Rock

1979 48 mins Location: Belfast

The Undertones and Stiff Little Fingers play live in this vivid music doc capturing all the vibrancy of the 1970s Northern Irish punk scene.

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Hot Pants for Men? Hot Pants for Men?

Current affairs 1971 2 mins Location: Launceston

A leggy stroll around Launceston reveals the uptake of hotpants for men.

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Rave Rave

Documentary 1997 12 mins

Partying like it's 1997. We follow a rave DJ instigator rigging up decks in abandoned warehouses, a nosebleed 'techno tourist' who chases the hardcore around Europe and a girl addicted to... partying.

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Long-Haired Layabouts Long-Haired Layabouts

Current affairs 1964 4 mins Location: Launceston

Long hair gives impression of laziness

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Birmingham Teddy Boys Birmingham Teddy Boys

News 1973 6 mins Location: Yardley

As their club bites the dust are the Teddy Boys of Birmingham finding their creepers out of step with the more popular platform shoe?

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Ton-up Boys Ton-up Boys

Current affairs 1962 8 mins Location: Plymouth

Rockabilly racers rev up to do the illegal ton on the road.

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The Ton-up Boys at Plymouth Speedway The Ton-up Boys at Plymouth Speedway

Current affairs 1962 7 mins Location: Plymouth

Plymouth Speedway opens its track to the ton-up boys.

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The Moon Rally The Moon Rally

Amateur film 1979 25 mins Location: Matley

Come along to the Moon Rally - a weekend of bikes and bikers; riding, talking, drinking and dancing.

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The Innocents The Innocents

Amateur film 1962 2 mins Silent Location: Danson Park

An icon of Mod youth culture in the 1950s, the Lambretta scooter is on display as the Bromley club show off their skills.

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British Graffiti British Graffiti

Documentary 1992 7 mins

Rockabilly passionates talk about their lifestyle and how they would prefer to live in the 1950s.

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The Jah People The Jah People

Documentary 1981 22 mins Location: Handsworth

Followers of the Rastafari way of life bring tales of Haile Selassie, Jah and Zion to the streets of inner-city Birmingham.

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Barsham Faire Barsham Faire

Amateur film 1974 6 mins Silent Location: Barsham Hill

In the 70s, Barsham Faire on August Bank Holiday became a tradition for many to celebrate things 'medieval' and raise funds for local arts events. It put Barsham on the map.

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Dance Festival Dance Festival

Campaigning film 1969 21 mins Silent Location: Camden Town

Join distracted onlookers at a protest “be-in” at Camden’s Roundhouse –alongside portraits of Lenin and a giant inflatable phallus.

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Can I Have a Dragon Please? Can I Have a Dragon Please?

Documentary 1983 11 mins

Perusing body embellishment in the early eighties, tattoo fans talk about their enthusiasm for staining skin long before it dominated Dalston.

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Travelling for a Living Travelling for a Living

Documentary 1966 45 mins Location: Kingston upon Hull

This "musical profile of the Watersons" is a precious document of the British folk revival, much of it shot in their hometown, Hull.

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Grove Carnival Grove Carnival

Documentary 1981 18 mins Location: Notting Hill

West London echoes to the sound of reggae and steel pans in this kaleidoscopic record of the 1980 Notting Hill Carnival.

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Berdh Gorsedh Kernow and Map Dyvroeth Berdh Gorsedh Kernow and Map Dyvroeth

Current affairs 1963 2 mins Location: Newquay

Deputy Grand Bard of the Gorsedd explains all

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The Pixies of Ottery St Mary The Pixies of Ottery St Mary

Current affairs 1963 1 mins Silent Location: Ottery St Mary

Pixies pop up everywhere before being banished once again from the town.

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Berdh Gorsedh Kernow and the New Grand Bard Berdh Gorsedh Kernow and the New Grand Bard

Current affairs 1967 1 mins Silent Location: Kea

The Grand Bard presides over the sky blue pageant

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Early Gorsedh Procession Early Gorsedh Procession

Home movie 1930 1 mins Silent Location: Cornwall

An Early Meeting of the Bards of Cornwall

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Gorsedh Procession through St Just Gorsedh Procession through St Just

Current affairs 1968 1 mins Silent Location: St Just

Bards bestow honour on Barbara Hepworth

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Ancient Beltane Festival at Glastonbury Tor Ancient Beltane Festival at Glastonbury Tor

Current affairs 1966 1 mins Silent Location: Glastonbury Tor

Rite of spring is celebrated to signify renewal

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Citizens Banned Citizens Banned

Amateur film 1981 12 mins Silent Location: Chelsea

Punks find their turf invaded by New Romantics in the final part of Captain Zip's seminal Video Trip.

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Squatparty Squatparty

Amateur film 1981 17 mins Location: Putney

Female punks have fun boozing, smoking and talking in this fascinating film by London lifestyle chronicler Captain Zip.

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Don't Dream It - See It Don't Dream It - See It

Amateur film 1978 15 mins Silent Location: Chelsea

The Kings Road punks go on a day trip - to 10 Downing Street! - in this edition of Captain Zip's Video Trip.

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We're No Angels We're No Angels

Amateur film 1979 16 mins Silent Location: Camden Town

The punks go shopping in this evocatively dingy entry in Captain Zip's seminal Video Trip.

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Death Is Their Destiny Death Is Their Destiny

Amateur film 1978 13 mins Location: London

Fascinating amateur footage of London punks, and a glimpse of fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, filmed on the King's Road in 1978.

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The Punk Kebab Documentary The Punk Kebab Documentary

Drama 1977 13 mins Location: Buckingham Palace

Subverted and amusing piece about the history of kebabs, infused with a punk flavour.

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A Beautiful Way To Live A Beautiful Way To Live

Factual TV 1971 25 mins Location: Downham Market

Novelist Cressida Lindsay and Commune Movement pioneer Sarah Eno feature in this Anglia TV documentary about life in a commune.

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The Aetherius Society at Holdstone Down The Aetherius Society at Holdstone Down

Current affairs 1963 5 mins Location: Holdstone Down

Aetherius people join together to help the planet at Holy Mountain

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Flower Power Interview Flower Power Interview

News 1967 2 mins Location: Cheltenham

Psychedelic freakouts in Cheltenham?

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Nudists Stay Near Norwich Nudists Stay Near Norwich

News 1980 3 mins Location: Norwich

Where will The Mayor hang his chain?! The Sunlanders, a British naturist group, are staying at a camp near Norwich, Norfolk in 1980.

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Iroquois Rain Dance Iroquois Rain Dance

Current affairs 1984 4 mins Location: Burrator Reservoir

Iroquois Earth Songs connect businessman to nature

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Tribe of the Sun Tribe of the Sun

Amateur film 1972 24 mins

The ill-fated dreams of Sid Rawls’ band of ‘ultra hippies’ attempting a self-sufficient communal life on John Lennon’s ‘Beatle Island’.

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First Purpose-built Traveller's Site in Britain First Purpose-built Traveller's Site in Britain

News 1975 2 mins Location: Wisbech

Does staying on a permanent site interfere with travellers' traditions? Travellers who live in caravans on a site in Wisbech speak to Anglia TV

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Truro Carnival Week Truro Carnival Week

Current affairs 1932 4 mins Silent Location: Truro

Trurorians enjoy street carnival celebrations

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Haytor Love-in Haytor Love-in

Current affairs 1967 1 mins Silent Location: Haytor Rocks

Hippies gather in Flower Power Love-in on Dartmoor’s Haytor

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A Beatnik Community in St Agnes A Beatnik Community in St Agnes

Current affairs 1969 12 mins Location: St Agnes

A Beatnik community sets up in St Agnes against local wishes

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The Sidmouth Folk Festival The Sidmouth Folk Festival

Current affairs 1970 7 mins Location: Sidmouth

International folk bands and troupes put on an act at Sidmouth

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Frank at 'Cities in the Park' Frank at 'Cities in the Park'

Amateur film 1991 4 mins Silent Location: Heaton Park

Sunday in the park with Frank Sidebottom and the Manchester music mob.

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Spliffs, Joints and Pot Spliffs, Joints and Pot

1965 31 mins Location: London

A beat musician shoots up on camera in this straight-talking 1965 film about recreational drug use.

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Rag Week in Plymouth Rag Week in Plymouth

Current affairs 1962 2 mins Silent Location: Plymouth

Student ragging acts increase funds for charities

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The Privileged? The Pawns The Privileged? The Pawns

Documentary 1968 20 mins Location: Exeter

What was it like for you? Exeter University Students reveal all.

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The Privileged? The Loose Change The Privileged? The Loose Change

Documentary 1968 13 mins Location: Exeter

Loose change at the University of Exeter ensures growth and investment.

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Gwennap Pit Wedding Gwennap Pit Wedding

Current affairs 1965 1 mins Silent Location: Gwennap Pit

Kynsa demmedhyans ena Gwennap Pit

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Honeymoon Hotel Honeymoon Hotel

Current affairs 1962 7 mins Location: Torquay

Honeymooning in Torquay is a communal affair.

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Manchester Spiritualists Procession (1901) Manchester Spiritualists Procession (1901)

Non-Fiction 1901 7 mins Silent Location: Manchester

Exponents of Britain's newest religion don their Sunday best for a parade through Edwardian Manchester.

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Knights Electric Knights Electric

Drama 1980 24 mins Location: Great Yarmouth

Four rowdy teen punks tussle with the girls they fancy in this energetic pop music film shot on the seafront at Great Yarmouth.

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Aldermaston Aldermaston

Amateur film 1962 25 mins Silent Location: Aldermaston

A fascinating record of the 1962 Aldermaston March featuring Canon John Collins, Michael Foot and thousands of marchers of all ages.

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Jayne Mansfield in Male Call Jayne Mansfield in Male Call

Current affairs 1967 4 mins Location: Loxton

Jayne Mansfield turns it on for the camera at the Webbington Country Club.

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Knebworth Pop Festival Knebworth Pop Festival

News 1976 5 mins Location: Knebworth Ho

Free food' and 'free religion' is the mantra of some festival goers ahead of the Rolling Stones' appearance at Knebworth. And for the local publican, it's big business!

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The Square The Square

Drama 1957 16 mins Location: Westminster

An old man looks back wistfully over his years spent living in a King's Cross square, and enjoys a surprise skiffle party organised by neighbours.

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The Destructors The Destructors

Documentary 1983 12 mins Location: Brixton

Punk rebellion and anarchy with Peterborough-based punk band The Destructors, six years after their formation.

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Pop Group Settle for Commune in the Country Pop Group Settle for Commune in the Country

News 1973 8 mins Location: Wortham

70's psych pop group, Global Village Trucking Company, have opted out of the rat race and now live in a commune in Norfolk. Anglia reports, 1973.

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Mods & Rockers Mods & Rockers

Drama 1965 27 mins Location: Twickenham

A mop-topped Mick Fleetwood bashes the drums and steals the show in this bizarre 1960s beat ballet music film.

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Cheltenham Mods and Rockers Cheltenham Mods and Rockers

News 1965 10 mins Location: Cheltenham

Is Cheltenham really "a place to pass the time before you pass out?" Is a lack of facilities causing tensions between mods and rockers who should be out enjoying the countryside?

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Skateboarding Demonstration Skateboarding Demonstration

News 1977 3 mins Location: Belfast

Watch the tricks, heed the tips, skate like a pro

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Billy Graham in Ulster Billy Graham in Ulster

Documentary 1972 41 mins Location: Belfast

Will you join this charismatic evangelist's spiritual revolution?

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Self-Conscious Over You Self-Conscious Over You

Documentary 1980 40 mins Location: Belfast

Witness The Outcasts at their incendiary best in this thrilling concert film

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Teena and Simon Teena and Simon

Documentary 1990 16 mins

An intimate documentary portrait of a London couple, who candidly reveal the pleasures and pains of body piercing. Teena and Simon  are a contemporary couple united in mind, body and spirit.

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Peeling Off Peeling Off

Documentary 1990 12 mins

Revealing doc about male stripper, Max McLure. Max earns his living performing strip-o-grams, working freelance either through his own company, Maxgrams, or through a 'gram agency'.

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The Option The Option

Documentary 1965 18 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry

Terence McDonald throws some light on the nature, need and direction the priesthood is taking in Northern Ireland during the sixties.

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The Bardney Pop Festival The Bardney Pop Festival

News 1972 22 mins

Fly your freak flag high with this far-out film shot at the Great Western Express Festival in muddy May 1972.

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Rolanda Polonsky, Sculptor Rolanda Polonsky, Sculptor

Documentary 1971 10 mins

Enter the imaginative world of acclaimed sculptor Rolanda Polonsky, a resident of Netherne Psychiatric Hospital, Surrey.

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Good-Time Girl Good-Time Girl

Drama 1948 92 mins Location: Islington

Find out what happens when a good girl goes bad in this controversial post-war Brit noir thriller starring Jean Kent.

More Other Grooves films in our Rentals collection.

More related films in the Free collection, Beat Generations.

More related films in the Free collection, The Pleasure Principle.

More music films in our Rentals collection: Sonic.

More music films in our Subscription collection, Sonic: Music in Movies.