This film is part of Free
Railway Ride over the Tay Bridge
Stunning train's eye views across the Tay rail bridge from Fife to Dundee
Overview
The Tay Bridge, running between Wormit in Fife and Dundee, became notorious when it tragically collapsed in 1879, killing 75 passengers. At that time it was the longest bridge in the world and its collapse remains one of the worst structural disasters in British history. In 1887 a second bridge was built, and this film, shot 20 years after the disaster, departs from Wormit station and transports the viewer from Fife to Dundee along the bridge on an atmospheric 'phantom ride'.
The bridge is most impressive when its two-and-three-quarter-mile track stretches out in front of the camera. Its precise straightness causes simple cuts to become curious optical tricks, particularly the point when men suddenly appear on what was an empty bridge.
Related
Conway Castle - panoramic view of Conway on the L.& N.W. Railway Conway Castle - panoramic view of Conway on the L.& N.W. Railway
Non-Fiction 1898 2 mins Silent Location: Conwy Castle
Conwy's bridge, castle and station glide past, as if in a dream, in this beautiful phantom train ride film (no ghosts but apparently no train either) from 1898.
Tram Journey through Southampton Tram Journey through Southampton
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent Location: Southampton
A moving tour through lively turn-of-the-century Southampton.
Churned Waters Churned Waters
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins Silent
A hypnotic study of the wake of a ship at sea
Panorama of the Paris Exhibition No. 3 Panorama of the Paris Exhibition No. 3
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent
An unusual view of Paris, shot from a boat travelling down the Seine. You can even see the Eiffel tower - almost!
Phantom Ride - Chamonix Phantom Ride - Chamonix
Non-Fiction 1900 2 mins Silent
Admire the view but don't look down, as this short film takes you on a breathtaking trip through the Alps
A Steamship Passes By A Steamship Passes By
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins
With energetic waving of handkerchiefs to those on shore, a large steamship heads off
Over the Tay Bridge on an Express Train (1901) Over the Tay Bridge on an Express Train (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Tay Bridge
A journey across the well-known Scottish railway bridge, filmed from the engine front.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.