The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
Footballing Tortoise
A proud owner shows his spritely tortoise playing football in Weymouth, but what are the odds?
In partnership with:
Overview
FIFA World Cup fever has gripped the country with some slower to catch on than others. In Weymouth, Willie the spur-thighed Mediterranean tortoise is honing his touch in the back garden. His owner Ronald Braisher is keen to point out “he might not be fast on his feet, but his ball control is superb.” Tortoises used to be a popular pet but imports are now subject to strict controls under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
FIFA World Cup took place in England from 11 to 30 July 1966. England won the title 4–2 after beating West Germany in extra time. Eusebio of Brazil won the golden boot for the most goals scored, Bobby Charlton was named best player and West Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer received the best young player award. The best tortoise player award has to go Willie Braisher. As opposed to animals playing sport, recent world cups have offered a new wave of animals predicting sporting results with many countries putting forward psychic pets; who could forget Paul the Octopus from Germany or Achilles the Cat from Russia? Some species, however, just prefer to watch.
Related
Watch for free
Weymouth Weymouth
Amateur film 1956 4 mins Silent Location: Weymouth
A family holiday to the popular summer retreat on the coast of Dorset.
Watch for free
Beached Elephants Beached Elephants
Current affairs 1966 1 mins Silent Location: Weymouth
Sophie, Dumbo, Sue and Francis dip their toes in the sea.
Watch for free
His Majesty Landing at Weymouth His Majesty Landing at Weymouth
Documentary 1912 3 mins Silent Location: Weymouth
A memorable day for Weymouth as King George V and the young Prince Albert attend the 1912 Fleet Review
Watch for free
Fishy Tale Fishy Tale
Amateur film 1961 7 mins Silent Location: Weymouth
Join the Erskine family on a fishing trip in Weymouth Bay - where mackerel and thornback rays are caught against a backdrop of yachts and ferries
Watch for free
Weymouth Weymouth
Promotional 1958 23 mins Location: Weymouth
Enjoy this nostalgic look at the Dorset resort of Weymouth - complete with beachtime fun, Punch & Judy, fishing and a Beauty Queen tug-of-war.
Watch for free
Children Lost and Found Hut in Weymouth Children Lost and Found Hut in Weymouth
News 1967 3 mins Location: Weymouth
A new service is launched with a designated meeting point for lost children on Weymouth.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Watch for free
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.
Watch for free
Edgar Wright on The Running Man Edgar Wright on The Running Man
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces.
Watch for free
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.
Watch for free
Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 73 mins
Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.