Rentals

Black Britain on Film

Striking, illuminating and sometimes surprising images of black culture, community and characters, spanning over a century of British film and TV.

From some of the earliest appearances at the dawn of the 20th century to groundbreaking postwar documentaries and contemporary features, this collection charts changing attitudes and hidden histories. Here are the trailblazers, the icons, the stereotypes, the controversies. These richly varied films uncover sometimes surprising histories of black culture and community and intelligently tackle troubling issues of race, representation and identity.

Welcome II the TerrordomeWelcome II the Terrordome

Drama 1995 94 minsDirector: Ngozi Onwurah

A ferocious dystopian nightmare, this was the first film directed by a Black British woman to receive a UK theatrical release.

Rent for £3.50

Flame in the StreetsFlame in the Streets

Drama 1961 93 minsDirector: Roy Ward Baker

John Mills stars as a progressive union leader who is confronted with his own internal prejudices when his daughter brings her West Indian boyfriend home.

Rent for £3.50

SapphireSapphire

Police drama 1959 92 minsDirector: Basil Dearden

A young student with a secret is brutally murdered in this British Academy Award winning thriller about race, sex and jealousy.

Rent for £3.50

A Taste of HoneyA Taste of Honey

Drama 1961 102 minsDirector: Tony Richardson

Rita Tushingham delivers a BAFTA-winning performance as a resilient Salford schoolgirl making her way in the world in this classic of 1960s British cinema.