The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
Holidaying in the South West
A whistlestop tour of Devon and Cornwall is filmed in this holiday home movie.
In partnership with:
Overview
By the late 1950s joy has returned to the hearts of people and ordinary families are holidaying and making films. This enthusiast prefaces each location with titles (and a misspelt Devonport and Caerhays) and captures the essence of the whole holiday and the many locations visited including two boat trips, one to the Eddystone Lighthouse and the other off the coast of Mevagissey. This film also shows swimmers and surf riders at Perranporth with Crest surfboards.
This is before the days of steadycam technology or the realism of the Dogme 95 collective whose directors took an in among the action view of filmmaking using no tripods, props or effects. Interminable pans and wobbly shots are normal for the amateur on a handheld camera and acceptable to the private viewers reliving holiday moments months later in their living rooms. The colourful 16mm film stock is distinctly Kodachrome, popular from its launch in the 1930s until 1961 when Eastman Kodak introduced Kodachrome II film. Kodachrome, discontinued in 2010, was also the preferred film of National Geographic stills photographer Steve McCurry.
Related
Watch for free
Visit to Germany Visit to Germany
Home movie 1936 28 mins Silent
Lloyd George tours the sights of Nazi Germany while his chauffeurs lark about with an SS Officer in this grimly fascinating film.
Watch for free
Family and Friends Family and Friends
Home movie 1962 24 mins Silent
An intimate portrait of the family life of the Taberhams, including Ruth and Tigger Cat at Christmastime, idling in the garden, and a wedding.
Watch for free
Cwrt-yr-Ala - Twins Cwrt-yr-Ala - Twins
Home movie 1948 8 mins Silent Location: Michaelston-le-Pit
A newly-built, dream home in Michaelston-le-Pit, Cardiff, where industrialist H H Merrett’s grandchildren have ample space to play.
Watch for free
George's Party and Porthcawl Prom George's Party and Porthcawl Prom
Home movie 1957 14 mins Silent Location: Porthcawl
Socialising at home - on George’s birthday, perhaps, and at Christmas – and walking the promenade.
Watch for free
Arthur Conan Doyle Relaxes with his Family at Windlesham Arthur Conan Doyle Relaxes with his Family at Windlesham
Amateur film 1929 17 mins Silent
The creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, relaxes with his family in Windlesham and goes on tour to Egypt, Africa and Australia
Watch for free
Golden Wedding At Ellel House Golden Wedding At Ellel House
Home movie 1950 4 mins Silent Location: Galgate
50 years together - congratulations! A family celebration of a long and happy married life.
Watch for free
Flashboat Race at Cawsand Flashboat Race at Cawsand
News 1967 10 mins Location: Cawsand
Competitors take to flashboats and demonstrate speed and agility on the sea.
Watch for free
Maker Holiday Maker Holiday
Documentary 1959 10 mins Location: Cawsand
Children from East Ham pitch a tent and enjoy the sites in Cawsand, Cornwall.
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.