This film is part of Free
Chester
From the Roman ruins to the Rows, two thousand years of history in Cheshire are introduced to a wider British public
Overview
Was King Harold smuggled up here to die after the Battle of Hastings? Did King Edgar build a palace here in the 10th century? Both historical Chester and mythical Chester get a nod in this travel documentary, which builds mystery around a place where fact is sometimes more remarkable than fiction. The Roman ruins, Chester Rows, and the cathedral are all stop-offs on our little tour.
Pleasant and sentimental, this is an easy watch, and could well have driven an extra visitor or two to the Cheshire town. Gaumont-British - initially just a subset of a French production company - was by the 1930s a large and highly influential studio, which also owned cinemas and had distribution interests. Material like this film was produced by its educational wing.
Related
Chester Zoo, Ceredigion Church and Chapel, and Carno Chester Zoo, Ceredigion Church and Chapel, and Carno
Home movie 1965 7 mins Silent Location: Chester
Chester Zoo β built for the conservation of animals - and churches and chapels in Ceredigion and Powys that are preserved for posterity.
North Wales, England: The Land of Castles and Waterfalls North Wales, England: The Land of Castles and Waterfalls
Travelogue 1907 15 mins Silent Location: Chester
An Edwardian excursion along the crenelated coast of North Wales from the walls of Chester to the wilds of Snowdonia.
Historic Chester Historic Chester
Travelogue 1921 14 mins Silent Location: Chester
Step inside the great city walls of Chester and embark on a tour of olde-worlde charm.
Vale of Llangollen Vale of Llangollen
Amateur film 1946 4 mins Silent Location: Chester
It's market day in Llangollen: sheep, pigs and calves are brought to the town on foot or by lorry and unloaded and re-loaded. It's all go but there is still time for tea and a smoke.
Llangollen Agricultural Shows Llangollen Agricultural Shows
Home movie 1946 17 mins Silent Location: Llangollen
Caesar Hughes, a clock-maker with shops in Chirk and Llangollen, keeps track of post-war times, recording local events on film e.g. agricultural shows, the River Dee in spate.
Scenes at Chester on the River Dee (1901) Scenes at Chester on the River Dee (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 8 mins Silent Location: Chester
Messing about in boats on the River Dee - fine frocks and frolics at Chester Regatta.
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 Archiveβs 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.