This film is part of Free
South Bank
Magnificent monument to the arts or architectural monstrosity? The jury's out on Britain's new National Theatre
Overview
Is this the "ugliest sight in Europe?" As the bulldozers move in on London's South Bank, this 1973 news report explores the latest uproar over modern architecture. Following in the footsteps of the Royal Festival Hall and Hayward Gallery, building designs for the new National Theatre seem set to divide opinion. But as history teaches us, today's hideous edifice may well be tomorrow's magnificent monument.
This news item was released in 1973 as part of This Week in Britain, a long-running cinemagazine series from the Central Office of Information. Never seen by domestic UK audiences, TWIB was made on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for screening overseas, with the aim of promoting British culture, science and industry to international audiences. This government film is a public record, preserved and presented by the BFI National Archive on behalf of The National Archives, home to more than 1,000 years of British history.
Related
StoryTrails: The People's Map Newport StoryTrails: The People's Map Newport
Documentary 2022 12 mins Location: Newport/Casnewydd
This map showcases a curated selection of audio stories and digitally animated 3D scans of the people and places in and around Newport.
StoryTrails: The People's Map Wolverhampton StoryTrails: The People's Map Wolverhampton
Documentary 2022 14 mins Location: Wolverhampton
This map showcases a curated selection of audio stories and digitally animated 3D scans of the people and places in and around Wolverhampton.
StoryTrails: The People's Map Omagh StoryTrails: The People's Map Omagh
Documentary 2022 15 mins Location: Omagh
This map showcases a curated selection of audio stories and digitally animated 3D scans of the people and places in and around Omagh.
StoryTrails: The People's Map Slough StoryTrails: The People's Map Slough
Documentary 2022 15 mins Location: Slough
This map showcases a curated selection of audio stories and digitally animated 3D scans of the people and places in and around Slough.
StoryTrails: The People's Map Dundee StoryTrails: The People's Map Dundee
Documentary 2022 14 mins Location: Dundee
This map showcases a curated selection of audio stories and digitally animated 3D scans of the people and places in and around Dundee.
StoryTrails: The People's Map Swansea StoryTrails: The People's Map Swansea
Documentary 2022 15 mins Location: Swansea/Abertawe
This map showcases a curated selection of audio stories and digitally animated 3D scans of the people and places in and around Swansea.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
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.
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.