Free
Most Popular Free 2023
The most popular free films that caught your imagination in 2023.
We are told that the past is a foreign country: they do things differently there. Yet British life has a comforting and quirky evenness, as this selection of free-to-stream favourites surely proves.
Walsall Market Walsall Market
News 1973 6 mins Location: Walsall
The sights and sounds of Walsall Market
Turn-Up for Tony Turn-Up for Tony
Comedy 1968 29 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
A Tyne Tees Television comedy romance is a forgotten gem from a 1960s decade of radical urban change in Newcastle.
Llanddwyn Island Llanddwyn Island
Home movie 1955 8 mins Silent Location: Llanddwyn Island/Ynys Llanddwyn
Sea pinks and samphire, lighthouses and church ruins – Llanddwyn’s charms are many and varied.
The Body Beautiful The Body Beautiful
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1990 24 mins
Autobiographical account of a mother-daughter relationship, exploring beauty standards and female sexuality.
A Dog Called Discord A Dog Called Discord
Documentary 2023 23 mins
BAFTA-winning director Mark Jenkin (BAIT, Enys Men) explores his fascination with the magic of film.
The Finishing Line The Finishing Line
Instructional 1977 21 mins
In this surrealist short, John Krish and Michael Gilmour tell a perilous tale at the railway station. Mind the gap - this is going to get scary.
Seaside Scenes at Hastings Seaside Scenes at Hastings
Amateur film 1938 15 mins Silent Location: Hastings
Hastings looks marvellous in this sumptuous colour film from the late 1930s - complete with sunbathing, swimming and being slapped with a fish
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
A Day in Watford's High Street A Day in Watford's High Street
Amateur film 1976 7 mins Silent Location: Watford
Filmed by local man, Geoff Spencer, this is a valuable record of a bustling british High Street where people are out enjoying the cafe lifestyle.
What's a Girl Like You ... What's a Girl Like You ...
Documentary 1969 52 mins Location: Vauxhall
Scintillating look at the 1960s drag renaissance, with a visit to London's Royal Vauxhall Tavern.
Naturists at Pilchard Cove Naturists at Pilchard Cove
News 1961 4 mins Location: Pilchard Cove
Locals and Strete Parish Council align to strip nude bathing rights.
Colne Trams Colne Trams
Amateur film 1934 3 mins Silent Location: Colne
The last days of the trams, and the end of an era for a small Lancashire town.
The Woolston Ferry The Woolston Ferry
Amateur film 1960 1 mins Silent Location: Woolston
Fans of floating bridges will enjoy this nostalgic film about a long gone piece of Southampton history - the Woolston Ferry across the River Itchen
Sheffield Parks and Gardens Sheffield Parks and Gardens
Promotional 1964 17 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
A wonderful leisurely tour of the impressive public parks and copious green spaces spread out across Sheffield as they were in the 1960s, with a languid narration to match.
Vital Years, Bushey Vital Years, Bushey
Campaigning film 1966 22 mins Location: Bushey
Neal Arden – actor and host of “Housewives’ Choice” – narrates this informative, thoughtful look at the Masonic boys’ school in Bushey.
Welcome Spring Welcome Spring
Amateur film 1952 9 mins Silent
Spring comes to Scotland in the 1950s: feed playful lambs, pick a host of glorious daffodils, and harness your faithful horse to the plough in this lovely amateur colour film.
Passport Passport
Drama 1967 34 mins
A train journey turns into a dystopian odyssey of impenetrable bureaucracy.
NHS 75 NHS 75
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
NHS England CEO Amanda Pritchard reflects on the impact and legacy of the National Health Service in this short video produced to celebrate 75 years of the NHS.
The Ruffian The Ruffian
News 1974 4 mins Location: Portaferry
Northern Ireland takes great pride in its boat building heritage, watch masters at work in Portaferry with news rushes from Ulster Television
Kitchen Tales Kitchen Tales
Drama 2021 22 mins
A newlywed Indian couple navigate 40 years of marriage through the food they make and the meals they share, as their family grows and their love struggles to survive.
64 Squadron At RAF Station Hornchurch 64 Squadron At RAF Station Hornchurch
Non-Fiction 1942 33 mins Silent Location: Hornchurch
Two fighter squadrons fly Supermarine Spitfire aircraft from RAF Hornchurch during the Second World War.