At Wessex Film and Sound Archive you can see and hear history, from late Victorian times to the present day, through moving images and sound recordings. The Archive contains over 36,000 film and sound recordings relating to Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, including film and tapes of local TV and radio.
This film is part of Free
A Visit to Portchester Castle
Join the Pesketts as they visit the ancient ruins of Portchester Castle - which despite being in ruins, still commands Portsmouth's natural harbour
From the collection of:
Overview
Archibald Peskett's film starts at the gate of the Norman castle, the most prominent part of the ancient site. A man is seen walking along the outer bailey and from the castle's battlements, we see the village of Portchester as well as boats stranded at low tide in Portsmouth harbour. Following more scenes of the Peskett family walking about the site, the films ends with a view of the castle from the tidal mudflats.
Archibald Peskett, better known as Archie, was a tailor at Gieves and Hawkes Naval Outfitters in Portsmouth. He was also a member of the Portsmouth Film Society and many of his films display a high degree of technical and artistic skill.
Related
History of Portsmouth History of Portsmouth
Amateur film 1937 24 mins Silent Location: Hilsea
This gem of a film shows pre-war Portsmouth and Southsea, in colour, before the Blitz and features its historic streets and buildings and holiday-makers on Southsea's beaches.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
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.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.