London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
This film is part of Free
British Deaf Association 'Mountain Venture', Lake District (1960)
Dramatic scenes of deaf students climbing mountains in rain, mist and occasional sun on a summer trip to the Lake District in 1960.
From the collection of:
Overview
This colour silent film from 1960 shows members of the British Deaf Association on a summer trip to the Lake District, where they enjoy rock climbing, fell walking and canoeing in the typically inconsistent sun, rain and mist of a British summer. Some of the scenes of members climbing the tricky rock of ‘Little Chamonix” are particularly impressive given the obvious difficulties of communication when you normally use sign language but are now holding on to a rope.
While earlier films in the BDA archive were shot by Joseph Foster and James Hudson, this slightly more professional offering was made by Charlie Wilson, who uses a great variety of shots – to some effect, given the dramatic landscape – and also more captions to help explain what is taking place. The result is an enjoyable record of the association’s summer camp, which subtly highlights the challenges members were happy to face when rock climbing. There are several nice touches – such as the one right at the start of the trip, where an instructor warns, ‘Some of you will be scared’, at which a grinning member of the party immediately points to his friend. British Deaf Association
Related
Watch for free
Methodism in the Dales Methodism in the Dales
Travelogue 1949 28 mins Silent Location: Calver
A tour of chapels and Methodists, past and present, in the northern counties of England.
Watch for free
Lakeland Poets Lakeland Poets
Documentary 1938 12 mins Silent Location: Lake District National Park
Immerse yourself in the beautiful serenity of the Lake District and the poetry this treasured landscape inspired.
Watch for free
Ingot Pictorial No. 17 Ingot Pictorial No. 17
1953 20 mins Location: Ebbw Vale/Glyn Ebwy
The steel industry: the men engage with gigantic machines on a huge scale; the apprentice boys help and holiday; the women have their hair done with the stars.
Watch for free
Out and About with the Collin Family Out and About with the Collin Family
Home movie 1950 15 mins Silent Location: Blackpool
The Collin family of Chadderton, Oldham, enjoy life to the full.
Watch for free
Eagle Rock Eagle Rock
Children's 1965 62 mins Location: Lake District National Park
A teenage boy breaks all the rules of rock climbing to reach the top of an off-limits Lake District mountain.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.