This film is part of Free
Venice of the North
Not Venice, nor Amsterdam but Fleetwood in Lancashire, in the wake of a tragic flood disaster.
Overview
Amsterdam, Stockholm, even our very own Birmingham has enthusiastically been deemed 'the Venice of the North', thanks to their intricate canal systems. Fleetwood in Lancashire is better-known as a fishing port or seaside resort, but the analogy doesn't seem out of place in these incredible scenes of the 1927 flood disaster, as residents punt through the town in all manner of makeshift watercraft.
The film's comic title is actually rather insensitive considering the gravity of the disaster, which put 90% of the town underwater and claimed 6 lives. The rescue operation employed 70 small rowing boats in ferrying food and supplies to residents stranded on low-lying ground.
Related
Inskip Adventure Inskip Adventure
Amateur film 1953 28 mins Silent Location: Heywood
The Inskip League of Friendship tackles social isolation for people with physical disabilities.
Fleetwood - The Resort with an Infinite Variety of Pleasures Fleetwood - The Resort with an Infinite Variety of Pleasures
Amateur film 1940 11 mins Silent Location: Fleetwood
A place of quiet appeal: a seaside resort in the shadow of a large and noisy neighbour.
Fleetwood in Coronation Year Fleetwood in Coronation Year
Amateur film 1953 16 mins Silent Location: Fleetwood
The place to be in 1953 - the resort with two lighthouses on Lancashire's Fylde Coast.
The Fishing Industry around Fleetwood The Fishing Industry around Fleetwood
Amateur film 1960 16 mins Silent Location: Fleetwood
Behind the scenes in the fishing industry, as the Fylde town supports its trawlermen.
Model Yacht Racing at Fleetwood Model Yacht Racing at Fleetwood
Amateur film 1949 5 mins Silent Location: Fleetwood
With the wind in their sails, international model yacht racers compete on Lancashire's Fylde Coast.
West Lancashire West Lancashire
Amateur film 1930 4 mins Silent Location: Blackpool
Come rain or shine, we're off to the seaside - a trip along the Fylde Coast in all kinds of weather.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.