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.
Gainsborough Bicentenary Celebrations
Commemorations for 'The Blue Boy' author, English painter Thomas Gainsborough, in his home town of Sudbury; a local newsreel to mark the bi-centenary of his birth.
From the collection of:
Overview
This newsreel, produced to be screened in local picturehouses, shows the bicentenary celebrations by the citizens of Sudbury as they commemorate the much-admired Sudbury-born painter, Thomas Gainsborough, whose notable works include 'The Blue Boy'. The whole town gathers in the streets, with a parade of dignitaries, attended by none other than the President of the Royal Academy, Sir Frank Dicksee, and gathering at the memorial statue of the artist in the town centre.
Thomas Gainsborough was born in Sudbury, Suffolk, the eighth of nine children of a textile manufacturer. He was baptised on May 14th 1727 at the Independent Meeting House. He moved to London during the early 1740s and worked as a picture restorer and as an apprentice, painting background and minor figures for other artists, including Wynants. He also drew scenes to be made into engravings from the print trade. Although he painted some landscapes, he is remembered for his portraiture. Some of Gainsborough's notable landscapes include The Market Cart, Peasant Smoking At The Cottage Door, Landscape with Farming Scenes and Landscape with Gypsies. Gainsborough died from cancer on 3rd August, 1788.
Related
Watch for free
Mining Review 25th Year No. 9 Mining Review 25th Year No. 9
1972 10 mins Location: Mayfair
A painterly profile of County Durham's brilliant miner-artist Tom McGuinness.
Watch for free
Figures in a Landscape Figures in a Landscape
Documentary 1953 17 mins Silent Location: St Ives
A poetic portrait of sculptor Barbara Hepworth and the otherworldly Cornish landscapes which inspired her.
Watch for free
Dancers Dancers
1978 29 mins
Impressionistic portrait of life as a dancer in London’s Ballet Rambert.
Watch for free
Giacometti Giacometti
Documentary 1967 14 mins
Spend a few intense minutes with Giacometti in his Paris studio and see him at work on his striking sculptures.
Watch for free
Portrait of David Hockney Portrait of David Hockney
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1972 13 mins
Filmed at the time Hockney was painting Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy, this compelling study concentrates on the textures and light which surround the artist in his home and studio.
Watch for free
Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt
Documentary 1984 61 mins
Discover the 'name behind the hairstyle', in this essential portrait of the bard of Salford, aka John Cooper Clarke.
Watch for free
Sudbury Market (About Women Anglia TV series) Sudbury Market (About Women Anglia TV series)
Factual TV 1973 7 mins Location: Sudbury
In Sudbury, Suffolk, traders and customers shows it's not just bargains but entertainment and personal contact drawing them to the street market rather than the supermarket.
Watch for free
Visit to Silk Factory in Sudbury, Suffolk Visit to Silk Factory in Sudbury, Suffolk
News 1976 3 mins Location: Sudbury
Silk of every colour is used inside an East Anglian factory where women weavers work to produce the world's finest textiles.
Watch for free
Anglia Reports - Railways Transport Special Anglia Reports - Railways Transport Special
Documentary 1982 24 mins Location: Norwich
1982 was a particularly bad year for rail commuters, with five weeks of rail strikes to contend with. Anglia Television asks, “What shall we do with the railways system?”
Watch for free
Sudbury Market Sudbury Market
Amateur film 1979 8 mins Silent Location: Sudbury
Sudbury's market dates back to 1009! One of Suffolk's popular markets, amateur filmmaker John Anderson documents the stall holders and their visitors circa 1979.
Watch for free
Sudbury, Suffolk and District Sudbury, Suffolk and District
Non-Fiction 1963 12 mins Location: Sudbury
Sudbury is steeped in history as a market town and in the wool and weaving industry. But its main claim to fame is as birthplace and inspiration to Thomas Gainsborough.
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
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
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
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.