London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
This film is part of Free
Scream Quietly or the Neighbours Will Hear
Shocking and unsentimental Thames documentary recording the experiences of a group of abused wives in a landmark refuge in Chiswick.
From the collection of:
Overview
“Scream Quietly Or The Neighbours Will Hear” was a ground-breaking book by Erin Pizzey documenting the experiences of battered women. In 1971, Pizzey opened a shelter – Chiswick Women’s Aid on Belmont Terrace, now Refuge – that when this film was made by Thames in 1974 housed 18 women and 46 children. It’s powerful and moving, with women discussing horrific experiences, but also unsentimental in its depiction of life in a shelter. Directed by Michael Whyte.
Pizzey features in the film but does not dominate, with the director letting the women – of all races and classes - relate their shocking experiences. As well as chronicling ugly acts of violence and abuse, the film also shows in detail the difficult life for those in the shelter, with so many women and children, many traumatised by their experiences, living in close proximity. Many of the women are matter-of-fact about what they have been through, but one conversation with an Irish women is particularly traumatic. A fascinating and moving snapshot of social, domestic and political life in the 1970s.
Related
Watch for free
Automatic Fare Collection on London Buses Automatic Fare Collection on London Buses
Industry sponsored film 1971 2 mins Silent Location: Chiswick
A motley group of London Transport office staff line up to test the efficiency of two bus driver-operated ticket machines.
Watch for free
A Bit of Fun at the Chequered Flag A Bit of Fun at the Chequered Flag
Amateur film 1957 1 mins Silent Location: Chiswick
A mock standing start marks the beginning of an amusing classic car race that ends before it even gets going
Watch for free
1960 Wedding at Methodist Church Chiswick High Road 1960 Wedding at Methodist Church Chiswick High Road
Amateur film 1960 4 mins Silent Location: Chiswick
Glimpses of Chiswick High Road form the backdrop to the wedding guests arriving for a colourful 1960s wedding
Watch for free
Hold Tight/Hideaway Hold Tight/Hideaway
Music video 1966 5 mins Location: Chiswick
Take a very groovy road trip with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich in this early pop promo.
Watch for free
Chiswick's Gallant Gunner Chiswick's Gallant Gunner
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent Location: Chiswick
Three cheers for Maurice Samuels, as a Chiswick tram driver receives a medal for bravery at the Western Front at Ypres.
Watch for free
100,000 Pound Damage 1,500 out of Work 100,000 Pound Damage 1,500 out of Work
Non-Fiction 1928 1 mins Silent Location: Chiswick
40 fire engines unsuccessfully battle a raging fire that destroyed a wallpaper factory in Chiswick.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.