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
Wet Summer In Devon
The deckchairs are out but the sun is not and the country endures a wet summer.
In partnership with:
Overview
The winter of 1962 to 1963 was known as the Big Freeze and the country lived through one of the coldest winters on record. At Torquay in Devon on the English Riveira in the summer of 1963 and the British weather lives up to expectation. Rain, rain, go away, come back another day. The weather is affecting the usual bustling seaside resort although local Bed and Breakfasts have no vacancies.
The car park is full in Plymouth's Derry's Cross and queues for the ABC cinema stretch around the block as everyone tries to shelter from the rain. Oh well! Charlton Heston in Anthony Mann's El Cid (1961) again in the Super Technirama 70 deluxe edition, at least he is hot in his chainmail riding up a sunny beach in Peniscola in Spain.
Related
Cue Danny La Rue Cue Danny La Rue
Current affairs 1982 5 mins Location: Torquay
The charming entertainer explains his love of the frock.
Braille Lesson Braille Lesson
News 1962 1 mins Silent Location: Torquay
Police Constable learns to read differently.
Young Tennis Player Jo Louis Young Tennis Player Jo Louis
Sport 1980 5 mins Location: Torquay
Young tennis hopeful Jo Louis is at a coaching session in Torquay
Virginia Wade v Ann Jones in Dewar Cup Tie Virginia Wade v Ann Jones in Dewar Cup Tie
Sport 1970 7 mins Location: Torquay
British number ones compete for the Dewar Cup
Sue Barker competing in Torquay Sue Barker competing in Torquay
Sport 1984 12 mins Location: Torquay
Sue Barker returns to home turf with a very special fan
Sue Barker plays Evonne Goolagong Sue Barker plays Evonne Goolagong
Sport 1971 9 mins Location: Torquay
A young pretender takes on the Wimbledon Champion
The Ice Tower - Extended Q&A The Ice Tower - Extended Q&A
Inside Film 2026 36 mins
Writer-director Lucile Hadžihalilović explains how she spun her own dark fairy tale out of Hans Christian Andersen's Snow Queen.
New Perspectives: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror New Perspectives: Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Coghlan of Northumbria University explains why FW Murnau's 1922 vampire story is an endlessly intriguing work of art.
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.