This film is part of Free
Southport Pier 1899
When you're on a pier this long, you can be forgiven for taking public transport
Overview
At over a kilometre long, Southport Pier will always be a brisk stroll. A tramway was introduced shortly after it was opened in 1860 to help make the journey a little easier, and here a film camera hops on board. The original negative has survived in remarkable condition, offering beautifully crisp images of the Merseyside promenaders.
Though the film was originally catalogued as 1899, the electric trams seen in the final scene suggest a slightly later date. The first electrified tramways opened in 1900, replacing some of the horse-drawn routes that had run since the 1870s.
Related
Shuttered Windows Shuttered Windows
Charity appeal 1934 8 mins Location: Southport
Windows of opportunity: how a charity aimed to improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people.
Glengarry Topical Film No. 20 Glengarry Topical Film No. 20
Amateur film 1933 18 mins Silent Location: Winsford
Floral delights and more from around the North West.
Pleasureland, Southport Pleasureland, Southport
Non-Fiction 1920 3 mins Silent Location: Southport
Gentle thrills on the North West coast - a fun day out for everyone, without getting a hair or whisker out of place.
Lure to Lancashire Lure to Lancashire
Non-Fiction 1928 1 mins Silent Location: Southport
Lord Derby opens Southport's fancy new bathing lake and pavilion in this newsreel item
Fashion and Bathing at Southport Fashion and Bathing at Southport
Interest film 1926 4 mins Silent Location: Southport
Fashion, frolics, and fun for all at Southport Bathing Lake.
Southport Pleasureland 1964 Southport Pleasureland 1964
Home movie 1964 5 mins Silent Location: Southport
On the rides at the seaside resort with Mr Brookes and his family.
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.