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 part of Free
Bruce Robertson reel 1
Short home movie capturing the devastating aftermath of a V1 flying bomb in Mitcham and then domestic scenes in Morden and Mitcham.
From the collection of:
Overview
This film was shot by the father of Bruce Robertson and begins with scenes of war damage on Glebe Avenue in Mitcham after it was hit by a V1 flying bomb. The bomb just missed the family pickle factory on Lewis Road, which was opened by Robertson’s grandfather in 1925. The remainder of the film shows domestic scenes, including a new baby – possibly Bruce Robertson himself – and animals including chickens and cats, as well Robertson’s grandparent’s house at 81 The Drive, Morden.
Robertson recalls that his father saw the bomb landing. Although it missed the family factory, one wall was damaged and not rebuilt until the 1950s such was the shortage of building material after the war. The films also shows scenes of domestic life at the tail end of the war, with pets, bikes and tennis games all featuring – it’s particularly amusing to see the grown-ups, including grandad, all taking a valiant turn on a child’s tricycle. There are also shots from a beach holiday, brief clips from Chessington Zoo and snowy scenes shot in Morden during the extreme winter of 1946/47.
Related
Watch for free
Bruce Robertson reel 2 Bruce Robertson reel 2
Amateur film 1944 14 mins Silent Location: Merton
London Zoo and little babies feature in this home movie that shows domestic life in south London as well as shots of lion cubs, penguins and polar bears.
Watch for free
Two Schools Two Schools
Public Information Filler 1974 36 mins Location: Merton
Interesting look at two of London’s largest comprehensive schools in the 1970s, as children tackle a wide range of subjects.
Watch for free
Visual Training Part One, Why Things Are Seen, Merton (1947) Visual Training Part One, Why Things Are Seen, Merton (1947)
School programme and Educational film 1947 11 mins Location: Merton
Wonderful, informative military training film about vision, which features shots of south London having been made at Merton Park Studios.
Watch for free
Launches And Family Scenes, Epsom, Wimbledon, Croydon (1933) Launches And Family Scenes, Epsom, Wimbledon, Croydon (1933)
Amateur film 1933 50 mins Silent Location: Mudeford
Ships are launched and ropes are skipped in this wildly mixed selection of amateur films shot in the 1920s and 1930s by Gilbert Szlumper of Southern Railway.
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.