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Explore archive films
See shorts and features, showing the best from the BFI, national and regional archives - including 120 years of Britain on film
What we're watching
General Election Vox PopsGeneral Election Vox Pops
News19744 mins Location: Birmingham
Who won the October 1974 election? Was it Labour or was it the trade unions?
England 'swamped'England 'swamped'
Non-Fiction19271 minsSilent Location: Belfast
England team struggle with deplorable weather conditions in Belfast.
Pride in London 1975Pride in London 1975
Amateur film19751 minsSilent Location: Shepherd's Bush
A short but sweet show of stylish and colourful characters, parading to bring pride and power to the queer community in Central London.
Children and PoliticsChildren and Politics
News19643 mins
Some remarkably well informed (well, for the most part) children interviewed prior to the 1964 General Election.
David Is HomosexualDavid Is Homosexual
Amateur film197838 mins Location: Lewisham
A lonely gay man discovers friends, love and activism in this rediscovered educational film made by the Campaign for Homosexual Equality
Great Britain v Rest of Europe (1955)Great Britain v Rest of Europe (1955)
Sponsored film19553 minsSilent Location: Belfast
Teams comprising the best players from home and abroad compete in front of Belfast crowd.
The VolunteerThe Volunteer
Government sponsored film194442 mins Location: Denham
Entertaining and evocative Fleet Air Arm drama-doc propaganda piece, written and directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.
Return to the Edge of the WorldReturn to the Edge of the World
Documentary197824 mins Location: Shetland Islands
Michael Powell makes a moving return trip to the remote island of Foula, forty years after he shot his first major feature there.
An Airman's Letter to His MotherAn Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary19416 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The British Way of HealthThe British Way of Health
Documentary197327 mins Location: London
A portrayal of the NHS which shows off the “marvellous” system to audiences around the world.
Organ Donor Card: Organ BoxOrgan Donor Card: Organ Box
19931 mins
An urgently filmed appeal for organ donation.
You and Your HealthYou and Your Health
Documentary197922 mins
The Community Health Council of Wales blows its own trumpet in myriad ways, including animation, to draw attention to their NHS advisory service.
Back to the CommunityBack to the Community
Documentary198629 mins Location: Bolton
Local authorities trial the Thatcher government’s new ‘care in the community’ initiative.
Tracing the Spread of InfectionTracing the Spread of Infection
Documentary194923 mins
Doctors undertake forensic-style detective work to identify the origins of outbreaks, in the fascinating film from the early days of the NHS.
The Strange Case of Penny AllisonThe Strange Case of Penny Allison
Training film/TV programme200218 mins
Imelda Staunton and Hugh Laurie as you've not quite seen them before: in a comedy training video for Britain’s National Blood Service.
Bob in the PoundBob in the Pound
Advert19432 minsSilent
Fun-filled singalong savings ad with a dangerously catchy theme tune.
Sweethearts ForeverSweethearts Forever
Musical194534 mins
Feast your eyes on a bewildering barrage of forgotten British variety turns in this strange low-budget novelty short from 1945.
CabaretCabaret
Musical194510 mins
Set during rehearsals for a cabaret show, this short film features singer Rosalind Melville.
Five Guineas a WeekFive Guineas a Week
Musical195633 mins
1950s song and dance revue set in a colourful world of boarding houses and coffee bars
Devil's RockDevil's Rock
Drama193851 mins Location: Bangor
Will new open-air microphone technology give Richard Hayward the chance to silence his critics? Watch as Cushendun and Bangor steal the show.
Co-operetteCo-operette
Advert193815 mins
See silly slapstick, music, mayhem and a daffy dance-off between a carrot and an onion in this lively colour film advertising Co-op stores.
Featured collections
Football on Film
Football and film: two giants of 20th century spectacle. Born just a few years apart, film and the professional game have grown up together, as this fascinating collection shows.
Queer Britain
This colourful and challenging collection explores screen representations of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lives over the past century.
Before Windrush
Precious glimpses and surprising rediscoveries: snapshots of black Britain in the decades before the great postwar migrations.