Subscribe today using voucher code SUMMER22 for an extended free trial

Free

Thriller

Who Can You Trust?

From the collections of the BFI and its partner archives, a host of rarely seen British thrillers highlighting Britain's often idiosyncratic take on the genre.

From gritty London noir to murderous melodramas and obscure amateur works, this collection will open your eyes to a world of unseen British thrills.

Read more Close
Watch for free

Dear MurdererDear Murderer

Drama 1947 94 mins

A frosty Greta Gynt goes head to head with jealous husband Eric Portman in this pitch-black British noir.

Watch for free

EnemyEnemy

Thriller 1976 60 mins

Frightening events unfold that may or may not be figments of Marigold’s imagination.

Watch for free

CrosstrapCrosstrap

Drama 1962 62 mins

Stuck out in the country, two rival gangs fight it out with increasing savagery.

Watch for free

Good-Time GirlGood-Time Girl

Crime 1948 92 mins Location: Islington

Find out what happens when a good girl goes bad in this controversial post-war Brit noir thriller starring Jean Kent.

Watch for free

Trapped by the London SharksTrapped by the London Sharks

Comedy 1916 83 minsSilent

Nefarious nightclub hosts blackmail a drunkard into fleecing their customers

Watch for free

Trapped by the MormonsTrapped by the Mormons

Drama 1922 92 minsSilent

Unscrupulous criminals in the Manchester suburbs abuse the Mormon faith to lure young women away from their families.

Watch for free

The Silent HouseThe Silent House

Crime 1929 82 minsSilent

Spooky house thriller directed by Walter Forde, replete with secret panels and snake-filled rooms.

Watch for free

The Woman from ChinaThe Woman from China

Action and Adventure 1931 76 minsSilent

A young woman is persuaded to help a Chinese businessman to kidnap a naval officer in this fun and outrageous British thriller.

Watch for free

A Bid for FortuneA Bid for Fortune

Drama 1917 84 minsSilent

Master criminal Dr Nikola seeks a Chinese curio that promises eternal life and world domination

Watch for free

The Gold ExpressThe Gold Express

Crime 1955 58 mins

Claustrophobic train-set comedy-thriller with a gang of crooks intent on stealing a gold shipment on a Scotland to London express.

Watch for free

The Ghost TrainThe Ghost Train

Comedy 1931 39 mins

Surviving footage of the first sound version of Arnold Ridley's famous railway station comedy thriller

Currently unavailable

Escape from BroadmoorEscape from Broadmoor

Thriller 1948 39 mins Location: Hampstead

An escaped murderer faces the vengeful spirit of the woman he killed in this 'psychic mystery' British B-movie.

Watch for free

Revenge!Revenge!

Drama 1904 4 minsSilent

Early film: The life of a gentleman farmer is turned upside down when he discovers his wife in the arms of the local asylum's chief warder.

Watch for free

CoaminumCoaminum

Amateur film 1934 17 minsSilent Location: Nottingham

A biplane, car chase and steam express train all feature in this pre-war 16mm thriller that stretches the ambition and art of the amateur film maker.

Watch for free

RetributionRetribution

Amateur film 1931 17 minsSilent Location: Bournemouth

Sheila sees the folly of her ways when husband, John, is to be hanged for murdering her paramour, but once trusty Bill from the CID is on the case, the real killer is soon unmasked

Watch for free

The Broken SwastikaThe Broken Swastika

Amateur film 1932 13 minsSilent Location: Bournemouth

In this bizarre 1932 short film produced by the Bournemouth Cine Society, a swastika pendant becomes a plot device in a kidnapping drama.

Watch for free

Falsely MurderedFalsely Murdered

Amateur film 1960 22 mins Location: Harrow

Nail-biting amateur thriller in Pinner tells the story of a suspicious husband who may not have got the right man.

Watch for free

The DiamondThe Diamond

Amateur film 1938 14 minsSilent

A gem-smuggling conspiracy drives an entertaining and unusually accomplished amateur fiction.

Watch for free

Bank RobbersBank Robbers

Amateur film 1957 11 minsSilent Location: Queensbury

The excitement of making this crime caper is clearly seen in the acting of these kids from a village junior school, as they chase the robbers across fields overlooking the Dales.

Watch for free

Smugglers BewareSmugglers Beware

Amateur film 1938 28 minsSilent Location: Ingoldisthorpe

Thrilling pirate adventure made by a preparatory schoolmaster and starring some of his schoolchildren, who apprehend dangerous smugglers.

Watch for free

Smugglers' CaveSmugglers' Cave

Amateur film 1937 16 minsSilent Location: Cornwall

A map that leads to treasure and trouble: John, Mary and Anne go in search of Jack Mundy's loot only to find that his map wasn't quite complete.

Watch for free

Good TurnersGood Turners

Amateur film 1937 14 minsSilent Location: Eltham

A pair of kidnappers are no match for the derring-do Boy Scouts of Eltham - in this amateur action thriller from the Eltham Cine Society

Watch for free

Fatal ShotFatal Shot

Amateur film 1931 7 minsSilent Location: Kingsgate Bay

This gruesome tale from the Barnes Brothers is a warning to parents as a young child falls prey to a band of cliff dwelling murderous outlaws

Watch for free

HuntedHunted

Amateur film 1959 8 mins Location: Surrey

There are echoes of Fritz Lang in this short film about a shadowy figure following a child through woodland - but what is his true purpose?

Watch for free

It Happened ThusIt Happened Thus

Amateur film 1937 13 minsSilent Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

A valuable necklace is stolen – but where is the thief?

Watch for free

A Pocketful of FearA Pocketful of Fear

Amateur film 1963 11 minsSilent Location: West Boldon

Buckle up for some asphalt angst on a tense 1960s road trip on and off the A19.

Watch for free

.. And Other Stories.. And Other Stories

Amateur film 1979 7 mins Location: Eastbourne

A sophisticated bookish blonde proves to be a murderer’s nemesis in this atmospheric thriller-with-a-twist from the Eastbourne Cine Group

Watch for free

Pink ShirtsPink Shirts

Amateur film 1936 16 minsSilent Location: Plas Newydd

Catapult-wielding democrats take on wader-wearing fascists in this β€˜Plas Newydd’ drama filmed by the Marquis of Anglesey.

Watch for free

Birthday For PeterBirthday For Peter

Amateur film 1958 9 minsSilent Location: Sevenoaks

Peter’s birthday is one his suffering parents would rather forget in this harrowing film from the Sevenoaks Cine Society

More from Thriller in our Rentals collection

More from Thriller in our Subscription collection.