London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
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Woolwich Ferry in Silvertown
Soak up the industrial vistas of Silvertown and Woolwich, with ships and ferries floating past as they go about their daily routine.
From the collection of:
Overview
Hints of nostalgia and the calm, gleaming waters of the Thames feature prominently in this brief snapshot of daily life on the river. It's easy to spot the Thames Barrier in the distance, but otherwise the film presents a rather different East London skyline - the way it would have looked in 1987, when the film was made. Leaving the pier behind, the historic Woolwich Ferry glides across the screen, carrying cars, lorries and passengers to the other side.
The James Newman vessel featured in the film is named after a former mayor of Woolwich. On 5 October 2018 it set sail for the last time, retiring after more than 50 years of service. Produced by a keen East Ham and Newham Council filmmaker, local Councillor and later Leader of the Council, this compilation reel contains various local activities celebrating Newham throughout the year 1987. Presented in Cinemascope and filmed on Super 8mm using an anamorphic lens. This film is from the collection of Newham Local History Resource Centre.
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