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
The Golden Acre Road Race 1965
The Leeds Golden Acre Road Race attracts fierce competitors and draws passionate crowds in this exhilarating cycling film.
From the collection of:
Overview
This stirring cycling film depicts Leeds’s 1956 Golden Acre Road Race. The race briefly begins with a mass of riders jostling for position, but they soon naturally separate themselves into groups that reflect their ability. The camera adopts a modern TV style as it moves around sections of the course and swiftly pans in the direction of the cyclists until they pass the chequered flag.
Golden Acre Road Race took place in Leeds and was organised by the South Leeds Road Club. Bicycle road racing became increasingly popular in the Leeds area in 1950s and still remains popular in Selby.
Related
Watch for free
The Magic Pills The Magic Pills
Amateur film 1958 4 mins Silent Location: Golden Acre Park
In this funny amateur film from Leeds, a magic pill salesman offers extraordinary physical powers to those in need of a little help.
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.