This film is part of Free
Christmas Dinner Goes to Market
Christmas is coming and the Norfolk turkey's getting fat...
Overview
These 5,000 turkeys seem blissfully unaware of their fate. Turkey farming is a longstanding Norfolk industry, alongside cider brewing and brush making. Attleborough turkey market was held annually on the first Monday of October, and was a landmark in the East Anglian agricultural calendar. When this film was made, turkeys were still regarded exclusively as a Christmas treat for the well-off.
The centrality of the turkey trade to Attleborough's prosperity is reflected in the two black Norfolk turkeys that adorn the town's sign. The town's turkey market was a staple in contemporary seasonal newsreels, including British Pathe and Movietone, but this Gaumont film's cameraman beautifully captures the sense of occasion that the event clearly inspired in the local community. More recently, the mass production of turkeys and related processed foodstuffs, such as Norfolk-born Bernard Matthews' infamous Turkey Twizzlers, made the bird a year-round, low-cost menu choice.
Related
Toys Will Be Toys Toys Will Be Toys
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1988 5 mins Location: South Shields
Barbie dolls in pink battle khaki killing machines in a Christmas animation that cocks a snook at the “Disney Doctrine”.
A Bronte Christmas A Bronte Christmas
Documentary 1980 14 mins Location: Haworth
Richard Whiteley joins children on the Worth Valley Railway Santa’s Special, while the Haworth Town Band sing On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at.
Christmas in Belfast Christmas in Belfast
Government sponsored film 1977 2 mins Location: Belfast
Christmas in Belfast at the height of 'The Troubles'. Not the most wonderful time of year.
The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown
Musical 1964 70 mins Location: Liverpool
An incredibly joyous TV musical about a young woman's search for her long-lost cousin.
Morecambe and Wise - Be Wise Don't Drink and Drive Morecambe and Wise - Be Wise Don't Drink and Drive
Public Information Filler 1963 1 mins
Ernie tells Eric to ‘be wise’ and not drive home after their Christmas party
Santa Claus Santa Claus
Fantasy 1898 1 mins Silent
These Victorian children's Christmas wishes come true in a very special early British film
Gaymer's Cider works Gaymer's Cider works
Documentary 1979 3 mins Location: Attleborough
The industrial process of cider-making at Gaymers in Attleborough, where the company was been based since 1896.
Ely to Wymondham by Train Ely to Wymondham by Train
Amateur film 1968 15 mins Silent Location: Ely
A train journey beginning at Ely with scenic views of the Cathedral City and passing through many of the smaller stations in rural East Anglia before arriving in Wymondham.
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 Archive’s 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.