The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Cook's Tour
The bicentenary of Captain James Cook’s first epic naval voyage is celebrated by Whitby townspeople in this jubilant short film.
From the collection of:
Overview
The profound legacy of one of the most important British explorers of all time, Captain James Cook, is the subject of this historically-themed film shot in Whitby. The Whitby locals are celebrating the bicentenary of Captain Cook’s first great voyage, with men, women and children marching through the street from the outset, leading up to a grand military display by Cook’s statue in the town.
Captain James Cook is one of the most famous naval explorers of the 18th Century. He was the first recorded individual to successfully circumnavigate New Zealand and make contact with native peoples on the east coast of Australia and Hawaii. Cook is reported to have fallen in love with seafaring whilst working as a shipping trainee in the seaside town of Whitby. Captain Cook’s former house in Whitby now contains a museum dedicated to the preservation of his nautical legacy.
Related
Watch for free
Whitby June-July 1945 Whitby June-July 1945
Non-Fiction 1945 10 mins Silent Location: Whitby
Despite being shot during the closing stages of the Second World War, Whitby appears full of tranquillity and peace.
Watch for free
Yorkshire Riviera Yorkshire Riviera
Amateur film 1958 19 mins Silent Location: Redcar
A nostalgic dip and drive around the North Yorkshire coast in the sun-kissed 50s.
Watch for free
By Gosh It's Hot/A Day Out at Whitby By Gosh It's Hot/A Day Out at Whitby
Home movie 1964 31 mins Silent Location: Leeds
Eating, dancing in the front room, playing football in the garden, walking around Whitby, a birthday party, a wedding – just being common people, only with a Jewish twist.
Watch for free
Prospect of Whitby Prospect of Whitby
Documentary 1965 23 mins Silent Location: Whitby
Whitby seen through the work of Frank Meadows Sutcliffe.
Watch for free
Stranger on the Shore: Hounds of Whitby Stranger on the Shore: Hounds of Whitby
Short documentary 2016 11 mins Location: Whitby
The second in Michael Smith and Maxy Bianco's trilogy of films on Britain's coastal edgelands, in which they explore the spooky enchantment of Whitby.
Watch for free
Camwell Personal Film: Whitby & Battersby Branches Camwell Personal Film: Whitby & Battersby Branches
Amateur film 1958 21 mins Silent Location: Battersby
North Yorkshire bound through the lens of 'Cam' Camwell
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.