The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Flying Over the Norfolk Coast
Amateur colour Super 8 footage - aerial views from a two seater aeroplane, of Norfolk's coastline.
From the collection of:
Overview
In 1982, Ken Branfield captured aerial views of the Norfolk coastline, flying in a two seater aircraft from Sheringham to Great Yarmouth and back via Norwich. Intended as a birthday gift from Mr Branfield to his wife, the intended flight did not go as planned. Mrs Branfield got cold feet, and instead, daughter Susan, here looking nervous, accompanied her father. Seaside settlements are distinctive by landmark – Happisburgh lighthouse, Cromer Pier, Cley windmill.
This amateur film offers superb aerial views of Norfolk’s coastline, giving a unique perspective of the landscape. The filmmaker's neighbour had a pilot’s license and access to a plane, so the flight was inevitable, and Mr Branfield was keen to film the occasion with his Super 8 camera. When watching back the footage as a family, Mr Branfield “hoped to amuse the kiddies” and had spliced to the end of the film an action sequence from a James Bond movie featuring Sean Connery flying a plane. Mr Branfield claims he was inspired to make his own films after watching the 1950 movie Ha’Penny Breeze featuring sailing at Pin Mill in Suffolk.
Related
Watch for free
Diesel and Steam Diesel and Steam
Home movie 1971 4 mins Silent Location: Sheringham
A selection of trains from an Intercity 125 to LNER Thompson Class B1 61306 ‘Mayflower’ and LMS Royal Scot Class 6115 ‘Scots Guardsman’.
Watch for free
Some of Us - Holland-on-Sea Some of Us - Holland-on-Sea
Amateur film 1989 29 mins Silent Location: Holland-on-Sea
Amateur film of some of the folks who live in Holland-On-Sea, Essex and some of the places they visited on the East Anglian coast.
Watch for free
Sheringham Seaside Scenes Sheringham Seaside Scenes
Amateur film 1957 9 mins Silent Location: Sheringham
Family scenes on the beach at Sheringham, including the return of the RNLB Forester's Centenary lifeboat and children playing in 1957.
Watch for free
A Fine Resort: Sheringham A Fine Resort: Sheringham
Promotional 1961 13 mins Location: Sheringham
Clean golden sands, and the purest air in England. There are many reasons to visit the seaside at Sheringham, says this 1961 promotional film.
Watch for free
The Norfolk Coast The Norfolk Coast
Government sponsored film 1983 15 mins Location: Sheringham
Educational film about the Norfolk coastline focussing on the problems of erosion.
Watch for free
Pennefather Pictures Present Summer Holiday, Sheringham, 1933 Pennefather Pictures Present Summer Holiday, Sheringham, 1933
Home movie 1933 12 mins Silent Location: Sheringham
The Pennefather Family on their jollies in Sheringham - the beach, lacrosse, and sailing! Great 1930s swimwear. Home movie.
Watch for free
If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.
Watch for free
We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.
Watch for free
Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.
Watch for free
Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.
Watch for free
Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.
Watch for free
NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.