At Wessex Film and Sound Archive you can see and hear history, from late Victorian times to the present day, through moving images and sound recordings. The Archive contains over 36,000 film and sound recordings relating to Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, including film and tapes of local TV and radio.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
The Torrens family visits Windsor, Kew and London
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
From the collection of:
Overview
This enjoyable film starts on the Thames at Richmond before moving to Kew Gardens and Hampton Court. After negotiating a maze the family arrives in Windsor where the two boys pose by a Grenadier Guard. Next stop is the polar bear enclosure at London Zoo after which we see the boys in Trafalgar Square. After some window shopping on Regent Street, we board a Thames steamer. From St Paul's we get views of the city before ending at the Tower of London - with beefeaters and ravens.
An Irish born dentist, Robert Torrens lived with his family in Corfe Mullan in Dorset though his dental practise was in nearby Bournemouth. He was also an enthusiastic member of the Bournemouth Amateur Film Society, which began in 1930, and the Bournemouth Camera Club - which was later dubbed Crystal Productions. Amongst his many papers relating to his film making, Torrens left a scrapbbok of cuttings which gives details about the club's films and how they were made and exhibited. The papers tell how Crystal Productions would advertise that they were about to film a certain event and then screen the footage to local audiences.
Related
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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
Watch for free
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
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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
Watch for free
George Cave of Richmond George Cave of Richmond
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Richmond
The Prime Minister unveils a memorial tablet at the former home of the late Lord Chancellor at Richmond Palace.
Watch for free
Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass) Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2011 33 mins
Over 30 years and 150 projects, the composer shares, with humour and passion, the intricacies of making film music.
Watch for free
Ian Neil (Masterclass) Ian Neil (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2012 74 mins
Neil selected soundtracks for 127 Hours, Shame, Kick Ass, Control and many more. He discusses the job and its complexities, referencing his own work.
Watch for free
Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan
Inside Film 2012 mins
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy's adapter reveals his quest for "the poem of the book" and the importance of simplicity: 'Drain the pond to find the fish'.
Watch for free
Gabriel Yared on composing for film Gabriel Yared on composing for film
Inside Film 2013 11 mins
Composer of The Lives of Others, The English Patient and Betty Blue on intimacy and experimentation.
Watch for free
Lois Burwell on movie makeup Lois Burwell on movie makeup
Inside Film 2013 17 mins
Lincoln, Braveheart and Magnolia make-up artist Lois Burwell explains how she created some of her most iconic looks, as part of a BAFTA Masterclass.
Watch for free
Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass) Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass)
2013 61 mins
British cinematographer of The Hurt Locker, Captain Phillips, Hillsborough and Riff Raff reviews the art of the moving image.