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
800 Years A City
‘Soak the Serf’ for 3 groats along with the revellers and laughing nuns at Durham City’s 800th anniversary celebrations.
From the collection of:
Overview
In 1179 the city of Durham was granted a charter by Bishop de Puiset. In the shadow of the looming cathedral and castle, locals re-enact their city’s proud history in the 800th anniversary celebrations. Jesters, dancing bears, mystery plays and a wayward dragon lend a medieval flavour to the fun. A more contemporary mix of colourful politics and pageantry plays out as the recently ousted Labour Prime Minister James Callaghan attends the annual Miners’ Gala.
This ambitious film was made by an amateur filmmaker from Sunderland, Michael Gough. He first picked up a Super 8 camera in 1969 and had been a member of Newcastle & District Amateur Cinematographers Association since 1972. His newsreel documentary Welcome to Washington won the 1978 ACW Ten Best trophy, considered the Oscar of the amateur film world. The publicity surrounding this award helped in gaining co-operation from a multitude of organisations during the making of 800 Years A City over a period of one year, including The Sealed Knot, the oldest civil war re-enactment organisation in Britain, and the National Union of Miners.
Related
Watch for free
Son of Plain - Advertising Man's Guide to Tyne Tees Television Son of Plain - Advertising Man's Guide to Tyne Tees Television
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1964 11 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Is comedian Clive Dunn the Don Draper of the British advertising world? Watch this imaginative Tyne Tees TV marketing film and decide.
Watch for free
Geordie Jubilee Geordie Jubilee
Promotional 1987 4 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
A big Geordie welcome to the north east from comrades at NERIAC.
Watch for free
All Change All Change
Amateur film 1965 9 mins Silent Location: Durham
Looking down the line on Durham station as the diesel age gathers pace on British railways.
Watch for free
In Pawn In Pawn
Amateur film 1952 16 mins Silent Location: Durham
Fur flies in a delightfully cynical 1950s cine club comedy about marriage and infidelity.
Watch for free
A Pocketful of Fear A Pocketful of Fear
Amateur film 1963 11 mins Silent Location: West Boldon
Buckle up for some asphalt angst on a tense 1960s road trip on and off the A19.
Watch for free
Downstream Through Durham Downstream Through Durham
Amateur film 1957 33 mins Silent Location: Killhope Moor
Banners and brass and North Country quilters: just some of the working class traditions and crafts encountered on a trip along the River Wear.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.