The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Building of St. Mary's Bridge
An eye-opening, albeit rough-edged, look at the modern rebuilding of the historic St. Mary’s bridge in 1950s Doncaster.
From the collection of:
Overview
The celluloid damage and deterioration in this film lends itself well to the historic significance of the reconstruction of St Mary’s Bridge in Doncaster. Workmen use hand tools and heavy machinery to construct a modern 1950s bridge as locals look on with interest. The camera frequently pans around space ceaselessly exploring the metal interconnections of the bridge’s modern metal girders.
Early primitive bridges are known to have been built in the Doncaster area during the 13th Century. One particular bridge that crossed the River Don was located next to a chapel dedicated to St. Mary. Pious travellers were encouraged to make a donation at the chapel towards the maintenance of the bridge. It is thought that the bridge, which has been repeatedly rebuilt in this area, became known as St Mary’s Bridge due to the presence of the nearby chapel.
Related
Watch for free
Co-op 3-D Film Co-op 3-D Film
Advert 1952 1 mins Location: Doncaster
This strange early 1950s stereoscopic 3-D film is a colourful document of the Co-operative Wholesale Society in Doncaster
Watch for free
The Flying Doctor The Flying Doctor
Documentary 1988 10 mins Location: Doncaster
Snow is no barrier for 74 year old Helena as the propellers get fired up on her Hornet Moth and off she flies over the hills of South Yorkshire.
Watch for free
Brother to the Ox Brother to the Ox
Biopic 1981 54 mins Location: Doncaster
This harrowing look at the realities of farm and child labour in 1904 reveals the residues of feudalism persisting into the twentieth century.
Watch for free
Another Bloody Sunday Another Bloody Sunday
Documentary 1981 53 mins Location: Doncaster
Move over Spinal Tap, there is no need for parody in this superb documentary of a Doncaster Rugby League team, and loyal followers, that turns out every Sunday for a ritual beating.
Watch for free
The St Leger The St Leger
Non-Fiction 1913 3 mins Silent Location: Doncaster
Top hats and flat caps, a flat race with a close finish; jockey Elijah "Whippet" Wheatley, winning his solitary Classic, dismounts, and Night Hawk shows off her unsaddled beauty.
Watch for free
Doncaster War Week Doncaster War Week
Non-Fiction 1941 12 mins Silent Location: Doncaster
A portrait of a Yorkshire town during a typical WW2 fund raising week for Warships, providing an insight into the fund raising, and an intriguing peak into wartime daily life.
Watch for free
Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.