This film is part of Free

Terminus
The daily rhythms and dramas of Waterloo station are captured in John Schlesinger’s influential early film.
Overview
In his first cinema film, made at British Transport Films, John Schlesinger presents a day in the life of Waterloo rail station. Now a staple television format, this observational look at the workings of one of London’s key railway hubs was considered innovative in 1961, winning it awards at Venice and the Baftas.
Terminus is made in a style quite different from most of British Transport Films’ much-loved output. With music by Ron Grainer and songs by Julian Cooper, Schlesinger develops a series of seemingly routine proceedings into an emotive journey, focusing on the human dramas such as a missing child. His accomplishment with narrative would not go on unnoticed and within a year he was directing feature films such as A Kind of Loving. Terminus is also available on BFI's DVD collection British Transport Films vol. 3: Running a Railway.
Related

Railways for Ever! Railways for Ever!
Documentary 1970 7 mins
Sir John Betjeman reminisces about the phasing out of the mainline steam operation.

The Kiss in the Tunnel The Kiss in the Tunnel
Comedy 1899 2 mins Silent
A snatched kiss in a railway tunnel, played by real-life married couple GA Smith and Laura Bayley

A Mug's Game, Or, How to Squash a Lemon Head A Mug's Game, Or, How to Squash a Lemon Head
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1967 4 mins
Yo-yo, Pogo and Splat (guess which one's the lemon head?) feature in this innovative stop-motion railway safety film

The Long Drag The Long Drag
Documentary 1963 51 mins Location: Settle
Not just a chance to see locomotives steaming over viaducts, with the axe hanging over both, here we have the full glory of the Settle to Carlisle line, and its place in rural life.

Great North of Scotland Railway Films Great North of Scotland Railway Films
Amateur film 1963 26 mins Silent Location: Aberdeen
Train enthusiast David Gordon, Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair, films a stunning array of steam engines as they whistle through the colourful Scottish countryside in the 1960s.

The Stronach-Dutton Road-Rail Tractor The Stronach-Dutton Road-Rail Tractor
Sponsored film 1925 21 mins Silent
Is it a car? Is it a train? No, it's a super Stronach-Dutton road-rail tractor!

South Bank Street Performers 1977 South Bank Street Performers 1977
Amateur film 1977 3 mins Silent Location: Waterloo Sta
Acrobats, actors, musicians, human statues: nothing is off-the-table in South Bank for this extravagant exhibition of excellent talents.

All Seasons - the story of Bournemouth as a resort All Seasons - the story of Bournemouth as a resort
Promotional 1930 14 mins Silent Location: Waterloo Sta
Ride the Bournemouth Belle to this famous southern seaside resort – in a film featuring golfers, skaters and the Municipal Symphony Orchestra

The World's Greatest Station The World's Greatest Station
Non-Fiction 1922 1 mins Silent Location: Waterloo Sta
Her Majesty Queen Mary officially opens the much rebuilt Waterloo station for the London and South Western Railway, 21 March 1922.

South Bank South Bank
Documentary 1964 13 mins Location: Waterloo Sta
This fascinating 60s tour catches London's South Bank in the middle of a cultural metamorphosis.

The London Story The London Story
Comedy 1986 16 mins Location: Waterloo Sta
Sally Potter's lively dance film about spies and government intrigue.

Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.

We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.

If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.

Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.

Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.

NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.