The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Queen at Wilton
Pure chemistry for the first visit of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip to the gigantic industrial plant at ICI Wilton
From the collection of:
Overview
ICI at Wilton basks in a prestigious visit from the new Queen and Prince Philip, Union Jacks out in force. Sir Alexander Fleck escorts the royal couple past an exhibition of wonderful mid-century inventions in plastics and synthetic fibres manufactured at the new Wilton site, and into the Terylene plant (the cameras unable to follow). A double-take may be in order for the Queen as she drives past ICIs Piccadilly Circus on her way to more Teesside engagements.
This ICI Film Unit record of Queen Elizabeths visit presents an opportunity for some shameless product promotion, a royal endorsement for ICI enterprise that could be screened for international corporate clients and also instil pride in their workers.
Related
Watch for free
Governor's Notebook 1 Governor's Notebook 1
Amateur film 1953 2 mins Silent Location: Stormont
An unforgettable day for Lady Wakehurst as the glamorous new monarch delights the crowds at Stormont
Watch for free
Royal Visit to Bearsden June 1965 Royal Visit to Bearsden June 1965
Amateur film 1965 11 mins Location: Bearsden
The Queen and Prince Philip enjoy a day out in the Glasgow suburbs in this sumptuous 1960s amateur film, complete with pipe band, flag-waving schoolchildren and very big hats.
Watch for free
Stranraer Royal Visit 1955 Stranraer Royal Visit 1955
Non-Fiction 1955 11 mins Silent Location: Stranraer
Visit Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway, with a Royal accompaniment as the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visit in 1955, enjoying an agricultural show and pageant along the way.
Watch for free
Jubilee Jubilee
Current affairs 1977 13 mins Location: Bath
A special report looks into the preparations for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and her subsequent tour of the South West.
Watch for free
Sierra Leone Greets the Queen Sierra Leone Greets the Queen
Non-Fiction 1961 21 mins
The Queen and Prince Philip's visit in late 1961, the year Sierra Leone became independent from Britain.
Watch for free
Royal Destiny Royal Destiny
Documentary 1953 17 mins
Produced by British Movietone for “Her Majesty’s Central Office of Information”, Royal Destiny traces Queen Elizabeth II’s young life up to her ascension to the throne.
Watch for free
This is Bournemouth This is Bournemouth
Promotional 1969 17 mins Location: Bournemouth
Bournemouth. A holiday resort that’s got the lot. Sunshine, sandy beaches, gardens, shops, fine dining and entertainment - with sports stars and a few beauty queens thrown in
Watch for free
Welcome to the Queen Welcome to the Queen
Documentary 1956 29 mins Location: Stockton-on-Tees
Beautiful documentary record of the royal visit to Teesside in 1956, shot in gorgeous Kodachrome.
Watch for free
Eye to the Future Eye to the Future
Industry sponsored film 1961 24 mins Location: Wilton
A new recruit drives off into a chemical sunset and a future with ICI Wilton but first theres some serious business with an analogue computer.
Watch for free
Visit to ICI Visit to ICI
Cinemagazine 1952 6 mins Location: Billingham
ICI promotes its post-war potential on a fascinating tour of the great chemical city on Teesside.
Watch for free
Move North Move North
Industry sponsored film 1966 20 mins Location: Middlesbrough
A serious sales pitch for the North East by a battling former Labour MP.
Watch for free
Cleveland Conservation Cleveland Conservation
Open access programme 1976 15 mins Location: Middlesbrough
A local history teacher takes full advantage of an opportunity to highlight the decline of parts of Cleveland, and present a highly engaging case for preserving its heritage.
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.