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
Video Player is loading.
Across the Causeway
Explore the remote and peaceful Holy Island of Lindisfarne in the northernmost part of England.
From the collection of:
Overview
A picturesque travelogue considers the ebb and flow of life on beautiful, remote Lindisfarne. Twice a day, the sea rises swiftly across the mile-long causeway from Beal, cutting off islanders, marooning the odd tourist, and beaching grey seals at low tide. A commentary tells of the past spiritual life of this Holy Island and notes the ruins of Victorian lime kilns, the plant ecology, and upturned keelboats as sheds, survivals from the prosperous years of herring fishing.
Along the Causeway was made by Derek Mathieson, who began shooting film at the age of eleven using a clockwork 8mm Kodak Brownie camera. Leaving school aged 15, he first worked at the Inverness Empire Theatre, learning the craft of theatre production including lighting design, and abandoned filmmaking for several years. He joined Darlington Cine Club in 1977 after attending a talk by the South Shields animator Sheila Graber at the club, and has since made over seventy holiday movies and short documentaries, including one on the Lily Laundry in Darlington where he then worked as an accountant and company secretary. Mathieson moved to video production in 1992.
Related
Watch for free
High Days and Holidays High Days and Holidays
Documentary 1986 26 mins Location: Holy Island
From holy days to holidays on the magical Northumbrian island of Lindisfarne.
Watch for free
Time and Tide Time and Tide
Documentary 1985 26 mins Location: Holy Island
The private face of a windswept island off the Northumbrian coast revealed by TV Mastermind presenter Magnus Magnusson.
Watch for free
A Taste of Northumbria A Taste of Northumbria
Amateur film 1979 16 mins Location: Holy Island
A tour of Northumberland that reminds us that what once protected us, now itself needs protecting, as does the surrounding wildlife.
Watch for free
County of Northumberland County of Northumberland
Amateur film 1963 19 mins Silent Location: Holy Island
The toe-dipping delights and tranquillity of the Northumbrian Riviera and beyond.
Watch for free
Town Moor, Fish Market, Holy Island & Roman Wall Town Moor, Fish Market, Holy Island & Roman Wall
Amateur film 1963 11 mins Silent Location: Town Moor
A swinging 60s Hoppings bursts into life on Newcastles Town Moor with barkers and tasselled showgirls advertising Striptease for Fearless Pashion.
Watch for free
Northumbrian Memories Northumbrian Memories
Amateur film 1957 20 mins Silent Location: Hexham
A personal portrait of a family tour of some historic Northumbrian sights in the mid-1950s, with Seahouses looking especially idyllic, wonderfully filmed in Kodachrome.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of childrenβs palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.