This film is part of Free
Typhoon Hong Kong September 1937
Poignant amateur footage records the aftermath of one of the worst typhoons in Hong Kong's history.
Overview
In the early hours of 2 September 1937 Hong Kong Island was struck by its worst typhoon to date. These poignant scenes were mostly shot that same morning by an amateur filmmaker who surveys the destruction: ships run aground, houses levelled, thatched roofs blown away, collapsed piers, women and children clearing rubble, and many giant ocean liners - half submerged like bath toys.
Hong Kong harbour was the seventh busiest port in the world in the 1930s. When the typhoon hit, the harbour was unusually crowded with ships moved on from Shanghai, which had been recently invaded by Japan. Among the ships pictured here are the Chinese steamers An-Lee and Eng-Lee, the Tymeric of Glasgow, and Dutch liner Van Heutsz, which was carrying over 1,000 refugees from the Battle of Shanghai. The harbourside's picturesque dwellings were also totally destroyed, along with around 1,800 fishing boats, and the small fishing villages of Sha Tin and Tai Po, which were wiped out by a tidal wave. Around 11,000 people are thought to have been killed.
Related
Hong Kong East Meets West Hong Kong East Meets West
Documentary 1940 24 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
This intimate study of Hong Kong explores the life and landscape of the former British colony in exquisite detail.
A Drive Round the Island of Hong Kong A Drive Round the Island of Hong Kong
Home movie 1935 18 mins Silent Location: Aberdeen
Join a group of ex-pats on a tour around Hong Kong, long before it became defined by its skyscraper skyline.
Around the New Territories - Hong Kong Around the New Territories - Hong Kong
Amateur film 1938 14 mins Silent Location: Tai Po Road
The famous island is only part of Hong Kong, as this intrepid amateur explorer-cum-filmmaker reveals in this intriguing travelogue.
Hong Kong Happenings Hong Kong Happenings
Home movie 1938 13 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Striking snapshots of life in a colonial outpost in the 1930s.
Hong Kong Happenings Part 2 Hong Kong Happenings Part 2
Amateur film 1937 9 mins Silent Location: Lai Chi Kok
Scenes of typhoon-torn Hong Kong captured by a local resident.
The Streets of Hong Kong - Wintertime 1936 The Streets of Hong Kong - Wintertime 1936
Amateur film 1938 17 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Christmas decorations jostle for attention among thousands of street signs in this amateur exploration of Hong Kong Island’s busy streets.
Shantou, China c.1932 Shantou, China c.1932
Amateur film 1932 11 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Home-movie snapshots of life and work in Shantou in Guangdong Province, South China.
Cine Snapshots - 1937 Cine Snapshots - 1937
Amateur film 1937 32 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Vivid views of pre-war Hong Kong.
Hong Kong East Meets West Hong Kong East Meets West
Documentary 1940 24 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
This intimate study of Hong Kong explores the life and landscape of the former British colony in exquisite detail.
Hong Kong Happenings Hong Kong Happenings
Home movie 1938 13 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Striking snapshots of life in a colonial outpost in the 1930s.
A Gate of China A Gate of China
Documentary 1927 9 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Staggering views of 1920s Hong Kong capture the contradictory cocktail of East meets West on this outpost island.
Kung Hei Fat Choy - A Happy New Year Kung Hei Fat Choy - A Happy New Year
Amateur film 1937 12 mins Silent Location: Hong Kong
Excitement fills the air as Hong Kong steps out to party.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.