This film is part of Free
A Day in London
Take a gentle tour of central London landmarks in this travelogue made shortly after WWI.
Overview
A gentle travelogue of central London’s famous landmarks. From Victoria Station we hasten to Westminster Cathedral, Abbey and Hall, and the Victoria Tower (not to be confused with Big Ben, also seen). Next stop the Foreign Office and 10 Downing Street – curious tourists wandering right up to the front door! – followed by the Embankment and Cleopatra’s Needle; Temple with its bustling lawyers; then across Fleet Street crowded with omnibuses to Lincoln’s Inn. Doubling back to the British Museum we head to Theatre Royal Drury Lane; St James’ Park; Buckingham Palace, via a pair of elderly Crimean War veterans; concluding at Trafalgar Square.
This film was part of the Home and Beauty series produced by the Ideal Film Company. Other travelogues in the series visited Cheddar Gorge, Leeds, St Albans, Winchester and York. With WWI fresh in Britain’s memory, this film like many others of the time ends on a patriotic note, with a rousing slogan from King George V.
Related
Festival in London Festival in London
Documentary 1951 10 mins Location: Lambeth Br
Experience the futuristic delights on offer at London's South Bank during the Festival of Britain
Edinburgh Film Festival Trailer Edinburgh Film Festival Trailer
Advert 1953 1 mins Silent Location: Edinburgh
You will want to visit Edinburgh’s famous Cameo theatre for a 1950s Edinburgh Film Festival extravaganza after seeing this enticing rolling text advertisement!
Festival of Britain London Exhibitions Festival of Britain London Exhibitions
Amateur film 1951 20 mins Silent Location: Battersea Park
Lights and laughter at the Southbank as Londoners marvel at the 'Festival of Britain'.
Aldeburgh Festival Aldeburgh Festival
News 1963 13 mins Location: Aldeburgh
By 1963, Suffolk's Aldeburgh Festival was very much on the world music map but the annual invasion of 'foreigners' didn't go down well with all the locals.
Ancient Beltane Festival at Glastonbury Tor Ancient Beltane Festival at Glastonbury Tor
Current affairs 1966 1 mins Silent Location: Glastonbury Tor
Rite of spring is celebrated to signify renewal
Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music
News 1970 2 mins Silent Location: Shepton Mallet
Progressive gathering of festival goers hits the blues.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Coronation Scenes Coronation Scenes
Amateur film 1937 6 mins Silent Location: Westminster
The streets of Westminster and Camberwell are festooned with bunting and banners in preparation for the Coronation of George VI in this remarkable colour film from A E Ford.
Royal Wedding 1947 Royal Wedding 1947
Amateur film 1947 3 mins Silent Location: Westminster
Inhabit the unique perspective of an amateur filmmaker in the crowd at the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten, 1947.
Candidate for Murder Candidate for Murder
Amateur film 1951 6 mins Location: Westminster
A film-noir unpacking the various self-reflexive thoughts one might fall victim to after committing the ultimate sin, with a twist ending.
VJ Day in Central London VJ Day in Central London
Documentary 1945 2 mins Silent Location: Westminster
This nostalgic and charming window into VJ Day celebrations has its eye on all, from the soldiers and civilians to the local wildlife.
Southport AJEX Parade 1976 Southport AJEX Parade 1976
Amateur film 1976 6 mins Silent Location: Westminster
Southport branch of the Association of Jewish Ex-Service Men & Women join up with other groups in London for the annual Rememberance Parade.
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.