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
Bridges on the River Tyne
A pleasure flight from Newcastle Airport wings its way along the Tyne in the 1950s.
From the collection of:
Overview
This pleasure flight into the past from Newcastle Airport captures fascinating aerial views of the Tyne from South Shields and Tynemouth piers to the rural river at Warden Bridge near Hexham. Cruising over Newcastle’s Race Week Hoppings, the plane sweeps westward over a shipyard-strewn Tyne, mapping iconic bridges, Armstrong’s vast Elswick Works (still producing weapons of war), regiments of West End terraces, and the smoking Dunston Power Station B.
The grainy aerial footage was shot by amateur filmmaker Milton Newton from Tyneside. It surveys an urban landscape that has radically changed since the 50s through de-industrialisation. Dunston Power Station B, a unique design in the world at the time, was built in 1932 and demolished in 1986 for the construction of the Metro Centre. The desire to see and represent landscapes from above has always been strong, with viewpoints snatched from kites and hot-air balloons to present day drones and satellite-based remote sensing. The first aerial movie – a three minute twenty eight second silent film – was made over Rome on 24 April 1909, the plane piloted by Wilbur Wright.
Related
Watch for free
V.T.O.L V.T.O.L
Amateur film 1969 8 mins Location: Town Moor
Jet set thrills at a 1969 Royal Air Force Exhibition on the Town Moor in Newcastle.
Watch for free
Bingo Bingo
Amateur film 1965 9 mins Silent Location: Jesmond
A business man’s luck runs out when he tries to lose a kitsch bingo prize at the Hoppings fair.
Watch for free
28 June 1967: Town Moor Hoppings 28 June 1967: Town Moor Hoppings
News 1967 6 mins Location: Town Moor
A rap on rain and rates with Britain’s first black British broadcaster and the travelling showpeople at the Hoppings funfair in Newcastle.
Watch for free
B'nai B'rith Dinner for New President, Jewish Friendship Club Visits, Coco the Clown Visit B'nai B'rith Dinner for New President, Jewish Friendship Club Visits, Coco the Clown Visit
Amateur film 1953 16 mins Silent Location: Town Moor
Behind the greasepaint of an iconic figure in the British circus - Coco the Clown reveals his Jewish roots.
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
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
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 children’s 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.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.