This film is part of Free
Buxton Skyline (1901)
A striking panorama of the Peak District town and its magnificent Georgian Crescent.
Overview
The imposing sight of Buxton's Georgian Crescent and the 18th century Devonshire Dome behind it is as familiar to locals today as it would have been to this film's Edwardian audience. Commissioned from travelling filmmakers Mitchell and Kenyon by exhibitor Mr Tweedale, the film was shown in February 1901 in the Pavilion theatre, part of the then unfinished Buxton Opera House.
For Buxton Skyline, Mitchell and Kenyon made a relatively rare departure from their more typical scenes of bustling crowds. The long, slow panning shot is unusually ambitious for this early period in film's history, and it's not surprising that keeping the camera steady proved a challenge too far given the technology available.
Related
Manchester Street Scenes (1901) Manchester Street Scenes (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 5 mins Silent Location: Manchester
A rare glimpse of early Edwardian Manchester when the horse-drawn tram still reigned supreme.
Sheffield Street Accident (1902) Sheffield Street Accident (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 2 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
The aftermath of an accident on the streets of Edwardian Sheffield.
Whitehaven Street Scenes (c.1902) Whitehaven Street Scenes (c.1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 3 mins Silent Location: Whitehaven
Lively scenes in Edwardian Cumbria.
Scenes at Monument Bridge in Hull (1900) Scenes at Monument Bridge in Hull (1900)
Non-Fiction 1900 2 mins Silent Location: Kingston upon Hull
A melee of traffic, carts, trams, bicycles and people of all ages squeeze past the camera in Victorian Hull.
Jamaica Street Glasgow (1901) Jamaica Street Glasgow (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 3 mins Silent Location: Glasgow
A flood of pedestrians and horse-drawn traffic in Edwardian Glasgow.
Liverpool Street Scenes (1901) Liverpool Street Scenes (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 4 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
Traffic and pedestrians - including an early motor car - in Edwardian Liverpool.
ECA Conference and Whipsnade Zoo ECA Conference and Whipsnade Zoo
Amateur film 1934 7 mins Silent Location: Matlock
Join Sydney Bligh and his fellow delegates as they tour Derbyshire spa towns, visit castles and cathedrals and still have time to see the animals at Whipsnade Zoo
Oxnead and Buxton Watermills Oxnead and Buxton Watermills
Amateur film 1974 8 mins Silent Location: Oxnead
Since before the Norman Conquest the River Bure has powered two watermills barely a mile apart, near the Norfolk villages of Oxnead, Buxton and Lamas.
The Federation of Soroptimist Clubs of Great Britain and Ireland Tenth Annual Conference, Buxton The Federation of Soroptimist Clubs of Great Britain and Ireland Tenth Annual Conference, Buxton
Amateur film 1939 12 mins Silent Location: Buxton
Female members of the Soroptimist organisation congregate in the Derbyshire town of Buxton for their annual conference.
Derbyshire on Britain's Cresta Run Derbyshire on Britain's Cresta Run
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Buxton
Snow in the High Peak sees Buxton locals take to the slopes for some winter sports in this attractive newsreel.
The English Switzerland The English Switzerland
Non-Fiction 1914 1 mins Silent Location: Buxton
A winter paradise in the Peak District: beautifully-composed shots of snow-clad Buxton.
Devonshire Hospital Buxton Devonshire Hospital Buxton
Non-Fiction 1916 2 mins Silent Location: Buxton
Rheumatic soldiers are treated with the latest in hydrotherapy at the Devonshire Hospital in Buxton, Derbyshire.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.