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.
This film is currently unavailable
Video Player is loading.
Fall of a Great City
There’s not a hard hat in sight, as cameras record the tragic destruction of the stunning spires, minarets, columns and arches of the Empire Exhibition at Wembley.
From the collection of:
Overview
Despite hosting the hugely successful Empire Exhibition in 1924 and 1925, the concrete mini-city of Wembley Park was largely demolished in 1927. Only a handful of structures – among them Wembley Stadium itself - survived the destruction recorded here, as pillars and spires are pulled down by cloth-capped workmen. Two pavilions, much altered, still remain while two others were demolished between 2007 and 2010 to make way for the new Wembley Stadium.
Related
Watch for free
Trip to Wembley Trip to Wembley
Amateur film 1982 3 mins Silent Location: Kingston upon Hull
Fans celebrate as Hull FC take home the Rugby Challenge Cup trophy after the rematch declares their victory.
Watch for free
Coronation Cup Final Preston North End Versus Sunderland Coronation Cup Final Preston North End Versus Sunderland
Non-Fiction 1937 10 mins Silent Location: Wembley Stadium
Rare footage of Sunderland’s impressive victory against Preston North End in the 1937 FA Cup Final.
Watch for free
Cup Final 1927 Cup Final 1927
Non-Fiction 1927 3 mins Silent Location: Wembley Stadium
Cardiff City Football Club takes on Arsenal in the 1927 FA Cup Final at Wembley. King George V and 100,000 spectators see Cardiff win 1-0.
Watch for free
Saturday Fever Saturday Fever
Cinemagazine 1961 9 mins Location: Tottenham
A snapshot of Saturday afternoon football watched by thousands of adoring fans, plus contrasting scenes of Southport and Spurs players in training.
Watch for free
Wheel in Britain Wheel in Britain
Documentary 1953 27 mins Location: London
Speeding round Britain by bike: taking in the scenery in a 1,600-mile competitive tour.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.
Watch for free
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
Watch for free
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.