This film is currently unavailable
Tom's Ride
Temptation on two wheels: should young Tom use the money he's found to buy himself a bike? Or should he do the right thing?
Director: Darrel Catling
Overview
This enjoyably stern morality tale was the first of many wholesome kids' films funded by cinema baron J. Arthur Rank, soon to set up the Children's Film Foundation. Here Tom, a member of Rank's National Cinema Club for Boys and Girls, is tempted to use some cash he's found to buy a bike. Persuaded by his sister that it would be wrong, he borrows her bike to return the wallet to its rightful owner.
Cinema managers' surveys revealed that young viewers enjoyed the then-unusual sight of children like themselves doing everyday things on the screen. However, many were frustrated with the ending, which saw Tom unrewarded for his good deed and - still with no prospect of a bike - only able to re-enact his ride on a living room chair. Many boys and girls thought this was more than unjust. This heavy-handed moralism - born of Rank's own Methodist beliefs - was thankfully rarely found in the Children's Film Foundation's pictures.
Related
The BFG The BFG
Children's 2016 117 mins Director: Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg’s luminous Roald Dahl adaptation boasts an enchanting performance from Mark Rylance as the Big Friendly Giant who befriends a little girl (Ruby Barnhill).
Runaway Railway Runaway Railway
Children's 1970 55 mins Director: Jan Darnley-Smith
A pre-Porridge Ronnie Barker plays a dim-witted train robber up to no good in this steam-era comedy adventure for kids
Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 5) Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 5)
Children's 1968 25 mins Director: Daphne Shadwell
With the series in full flow, the fifth episode showcases some splendid interplay between the team – plus some sumptuous mugging from David Jason.
Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 12) Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 12)
Children's 1968 25 mins Director: Daphne Shadwell
As the series nears its conclusion everybody in the cast seems thoroughly at ease with each other, delivering both slapstick and cerebral sketches with smooth efficiency.
Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 11) Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 11)
Children's 1968 25 mins Director: Daphne Shadwell
Highlights in this episode include the terrific ‘Art Gallery’ sketch, with a Gumby-esque Terry Jones exhibited as a living art work.
Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 13) Do Not Adjust Your Set (Series 1 episode 13)
Children's 1968 25 mins Director: Daphne Shadwell
The last show of the first series sees everybody larking about somewhat.
The Program The Program
Biopic 2015 103 mins Director: Stephen Frears
Ben Foster is Lance Armstrong in this kinetic account of the cyclist who fell from grace, from acclaimed director Stephen Frears.
The Kid with a Bike The Kid with a Bike
Drama 2011 87 mins Director: Luc Dardenne and Jean-Pierre Dardenne
The Dardennes' powerful, award-winning drama tells of a troubled and volatile young teenager abandoned by his dad and 'adopted' by a hairdresser
Skid Kids Skid Kids
Action and Adventure 1953 49 mins Director: Don Chaffey
Young 'Swanky' Clarke, leader of the Burton Bullets Cycle Speedway Club, foils bicycle thieves on the streets of 1950s Bermondsey.
Raleigh 'Raincheck' Advert Raleigh 'Raincheck' Advert
Advert 1976 5 mins
Send in the clowns! Raleigh demonstrates its latest cycle safety innovation in unconventional style.
Hercules: Lion Cubs Hercules: Lion Cubs
Advert 1956 1 mins
A pair of cheeky lion cubs star in this animated advertisement for the 'Finest Bicycle Built Today'.
From Acorn to Oak From Acorn to Oak
Anthology 1938 5 mins Director: Montgomery Tully
A birthday card in film form, celebrating 50 years of the Dunlop pneumatic tyre.
A New Kind of Wilderness A New Kind of Wilderness
Documentary 2023 84 mins Director: Silje Evensmo Jacobsen
A tragedy shatters the idyllic world of a family living off-grid in the Norwegian wilderness.
Riefenstahl Riefenstahl
Documentary 2024 115 mins Director: Andreas Veiel
Captivating insight into the controversial filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl, who became world-famous for her Nazi propaganda.
Blue Road: The Edna O'Brien Story Blue Road: The Edna O'Brien Story
Documentary 2025 100 mins Director: Sinéad O'Shea
A candid portrait of a literary sensation that’s as enchanting as O’Brien’s wonderful novels.
The Penguin Lessons The Penguin Lessons
Drama 2025 112 mins Director: Peter Cattaneo
Steve Coogan is superb as a disillusioned teacher whose life is turned upside-down when he rescues a penguin in turbulent 1970s Argentina.
Cloud Cloud
Drama 2024 124 mins Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
An online scam leads to deadly consequences in Kurosawa Kiyoshi’s chilling tech thriller.
La Cocina La Cocina
Drama 2024 139 mins Director: Alonso Ruizpalacios
Tensions rise in a frenzied New York diner, in this loose reworking of Arnold Wesker’s 1957 play.