This film is part of Free

London off the Track

Part of Wonderful London, the BFI National Archive’s programme of restored London travelogues, filmed in the capital in the 1920s.

1924 10 mins

Overview

Featuring views behind the usual façade of London’s streets including the mews behind St. George's Hospital, Philios Terrace, Kinnerton Street, Dr Johnson's house and the Olde Cheshire Cheese, Essex Stairs, Bankside, Clerkenwell and Smithfield.

Based on a successful magazine, the film series Wonderful London captures the life of the capital in the 1920s. These simple travelogues contrast different aspects of city life; East End and West End, poor and rich, natives and immigrants, looking beyond the stereotypes to show surprising views of the city. These six restorations by the BFI National Archive reintroduce the films' original colours, with new piano accompaniments by John Sweeney.