This film is part of Free
Shipshape
Lifeboats to the rescue at Shoreham, West Sussex.
Overview
Shoreham-by-Sea is the setting for this brisk, engaging Royal National Lifeboat Institution promo. ‘Introduced’ by an RNLI superintendent, the film explains the need for continuous maintenance of lifeboats. It includes dramatically constructed incidents using local people, lifeboat men – and boats – as the ‘actors’. The censor certificate indicates that the film, ending with a fundraising appeal, was intended for cinema distribution.
This modest but effective short was one of the last productions of Films of Fact, renowned documentary maker Paul Rotha’s production company, before going bust. It was clearly made on a low budget, particularly noticeable in the sound dubbing. But look out for some eye-opening tour-de-force camera movements. The film’s other significance is that it allowed its young director Paul Dickson to take a step towards drama-documentary, the form he would master in his outstanding short films The Undefeated (1950) and David (1951, also on BFI Player).
Related
Shoreham Harbour and the opening of George Street, Hove Shoreham Harbour and the opening of George Street, Hove
Amateur film 1962 4 mins Silent Location: Shoreham-By-Sea
Hove's newly renovated George Street is officially opened by the Queen in this short 1962 film from David A Chesterfield
Shoreham Unlocked Shoreham Unlocked
Amateur film 1993 6 mins Location: Shoreham-By-Sea
The relaxed pace of life in Shoreham-by-Sea is captured by the Albany Cine Club in this laid-back look at the Sussex port
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.