The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Sheffield Tram Decorated for 1902 Coronation
A whole world is opened up in just 30 seconds as we enter the Edwardian age, as trams barge through a bustling Sheffield street past bonnets jostling with top hats and cloth caps.
From the collection of:
Overview
As the modern age strains to emerge from the Victorian era, this short actuality film presents in microcosm the slowly changing fashion and technology that marks the new century. And with the first coronation in 63 years, the bugles are out and the open top trams –having not one, but two conductors – and buildings are decorated with the usual patriotic bunting, which would be brought out again a decade later.
It isn’t known who made this early actuality film, possibly Sheffield Photo Company, established by filmmaker Frank Mottershaw, which had its offices on Fargate. The view in the film is possibly looking down Fargate, before the Star and Telegraph building went up on the High Street. The programme for the day of celebrations on Saturday 9th August included a service in the Parish Church – which later became Sheffield Cathedral. This was probably preceded by a procession from the Town Hall along Fargate. The coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in August 1902 marked the end of the longest ever reign of a British monarch. Edward became also King of the British Dominions and Emperor of India.
Related
Watch for free
Hitchin Coronation Celebrations Hitchin Coronation Celebrations
Non-Fiction 1936 8 mins Silent Location: Hitchin
By George! (and Mary)... Patriotic crowds pack the streets of Hitchin for exuberant coronation celebrations.
Watch for free
Jewish Ex-Service Men's Coronation Parade 1 Jewish Ex-Service Men's Coronation Parade 1
Amateur film 1937 4 mins Silent Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
A proud expression of Jewish identity and heroism at a Coronation parade to the Eldon Square World War One memorial in Newcastle.
Watch for free
Coronation Street Party - Parc-Y-Dre Road, Ruthin, 1953 Coronation Street Party - Parc-Y-Dre Road, Ruthin, 1953
Amateur film 1953 8 mins Silent Location: Ruthin
Right royal revels in Parc-Y-Dre Road involving a decorated donkey, a mystery man and a pile of greenery and cardboard that will provide a community beacon at dusk.
Watch for free
Coronation of Edward VII (1902) Coronation of Edward VII (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 0 mins Silent Location: Westminster Abbey
A short glimpse of the new King's delayed coronation procession through London.
Watch for free
Woodford Celebrates the Coronation Woodford Celebrates the Coronation
Documentary 1953 2 mins Silent Location: Woodford
A great parade in celebration of the day of Elizabeth II's coronation, complete with a guest appearance from the Prime Minister!
Watch for free
Coronation Scenes Coronation Scenes
Amateur film 1937 6 mins Silent Location: Westminster
The streets of Westminster and Camberwell are festooned with bunting and banners in preparation for the Coronation of George VI in this remarkable colour film from A E Ford.
Watch for free
The Queen at Sheffield The Queen at Sheffield
Documentary 1897 1 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
Sheffield gives the capital a run for its money with an impressive parade celebrating the monarch, a month before the Diamond Jubilee.
Watch for free
Special Olympics Special Olympics
Factual TV 1988 5 mins Location: Sheffield
Sheffield professional sportsmen train determined disabled adults to compete at the Special Olympics in this heart-warming short film. (
Watch for free
Women's Munitions Workers, Sheffield Women's Munitions Workers, Sheffield
Amateur film 1940 7 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
Highly-skilled women defy 1940s gender prejudices and produce munitions in one of Sheffield’s many wartime factories.
Watch for free
Wartime Events in Sheffield Wartime Events in Sheffield
Amateur film 1942 19 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
Military men and women from Sheffield put on a show from 1942-1947 in this patriotic compilation film.
Watch for free
Bus Strike Traffic Bus Strike Traffic
Non-Fiction 1959 9 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
A Sheffield bus strike causes traffic congestion in this film that shows the significant local impact that a workplace dispute can have.
Watch for free
Sheffield Peace March Sheffield Peace March
Amateur film 1936 7 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
As the rise of fascism casts a shadow over Europe, the people of Sheffield take to the streets to deliver a powerful message.
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.