The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Berwick on Tweed
Happy days as a Middlesbrough family revisit a favourite holiday haunt in this portrait of Berwick- upon -Tweed after World War Two.
From the collection of:
Overview
A Middlesbrough family leave behind memories of ‘holidays at home’ and Anderson shelters and take a trip to Berwick-upon -Tweed. This delightful Kodachrome home movie captures local fishermen at work on the river, and the magnificent bridges and centuries-old military architecture in this Borders town soon after the end of World War Two. Victory Day flags and Home Guard uniforms still linger as a reminder of this recent past.
Tom Brown, who shot and composed this film, was a Middlesbrough dentist and chairman of the Tees-Side Cine Club. He made many home movies, documentaries and travelogues between 1930 and 1960, but his filmmaking activities (and holidays) almost halted during World War Two. The War Office issued orders regulating where filming could occur, and restricted the availability of film stock. Petrol was rationed and non-essential travel by public transport was discouraged. Despite the Browns’ relative affluence, Kodachrome colour film was especially hard to come by, and the services still had first call in 1945.
Related
Watch for free
Any Man's Kingdom Any Man's Kingdom
Travelogue 1956 21 mins Location: Alnwick
An attempt to capture the variety of life in Northumberland, and in particular something of the county's heart-warming atmosphere.
Watch for free
Fourth Lawn Tennis Tournament for the Championship of Northumberland Fourth Lawn Tennis Tournament for the Championship of Northumberland
1921 7 mins Silent Location: Berwick-upon-Tweed
The 1921 Northumberland Tennis tournament: men and women’s tennis in a beautiful location.
Watch for free
Britain's Bridge of "Size" Britain's Bridge of "Size"
Non-Fiction 1928 2 mins Silent Location: Berwick-upon-Tweed
On the scene of turbulent border history, the Prince of Wales opens a new link between Scotland and England
Watch for free
It's Not all Coal It's Not all Coal
Amateur film 1954 30 mins Silent Location: Bellingham
A magical travelogue of Northumberland proves it’s not all grim up North.
Watch for free
Blackhill Campaign Blackhill Campaign
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1963 50 mins Location: Blackhill
Miners, villagers and a Tory Lord fight the Blackhill Colliery closure in this moving documentary inspired by the Free Cinema movement of the 1950s.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.