This film is part of Free
East of the Malverns
Scenic route through the Vale of Evesham, Worcester and Great Malvern, with a detour to a lost masterpiece of outsider art.
Overview
Hop in, belt up and take the filmic equivalent of a leisurely Sunday drive. Worcestershire seemingly has more than its fair share of pretty villages, historic towns and curious backwaters, but the highlight of the trip is the astonishing Harveydene Gardens. This monumental piece of outsider art was created in a mosaic of shells and broken ceramics by retired engineer Sidney Dowdeswell. Such time capsule footage is all we have left, as the gardens were sadly demolished after his death.
Time has also not been kind to the original colours of this film. Like many other films produced in Eastmancolour, the blues in the surviving prints have faded to leave everything looking strangely pink, with the result that the film looks as if taken on an overcast, foggy day. This nonetheless charming film takes a scenic route through a beautiful corner of the country - so swap the rose-tinted specs for some blue ones and head out on a sunny scenic tour.
Related
Beer: VJ Day Beer: VJ Day
Home movie 1945 2 mins Silent Location: Worcester
Spontaneous celebrations on the streets of Worcester as the end of the Second World War is declared.
Elgar and Shaw 1929-32 Elgar and Shaw 1929-32
Amateur film 1929 4 mins Silent Location: Steyning
Wonderfully candid vignettes of Edward Elgar in this amateur film from George Bernard Shaw's collection
Worcester CC v West Indies at Worcester Worcester CC v West Indies at Worcester
Amateur film 1957 4 mins Silent Location: Worcester
A big day at New Road as the 1957 West Indies cricket team prepare to play home side Worcester.
Cricket Bats Cricket Bats
News 1974 5 mins Location: Worcester
A master craftsman in willow: Duncan Fearnley explains the intricacies of making his championship winning cricket bats.
Cricket: Worcestershire v Yorkshire Cricket: Worcestershire v Yorkshire
Amateur film 1955 6 mins Silent Location: Worcester
Cricket in the sunshine as Worcestershire take on Yorkshire at New Road.
New Zealand Cricket Team New Zealand Cricket Team
News 1965 4 mins Location: Worcester
Worcester, riding high as England's cricket county champions, prepare to face the 'unfashionable' Kiwis.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.