This film is part of Free
Waverley Steps
Beautifully evocative impression of a Sunday in early postwar Edinburgh.
Overview
Waverley Steps - subtitled ‘a visit to Edinburgh’ - is an evocative minor classic. John Eldridge’s film takes the semi-documentary form of a collage of scripted vignettes, at first disconnected but gradually overlapping. With visual grace, and a certain wit, the film entwines a coalman’s working day with students’ revels by night, the proceedings of a court with the rituals of a courtship.
Under Eldridge’s assured direction, every image is carefully framed, lit with contrasty crispness and filled with human detail, while the soundtrack takes in the excited cries of children, a brimstone sermon (recited over a camera-track past a gloomy graveyard) and music highbrow and low. Eldridge was reportedly influenced by Swedish filmmaker Arne Sucksdorff’s Rhythm of a City. His own film is a rather British compromise between touristy travelogue and more arty ‘city symphony’ - plus a unique twist on the wartime ‘story documentary’, switching its emphasis from plot to atmosphere. It was the sort of film – relatively expensive, consciously artistic and freely interpreting a loose remit – that the Central Office of Information, who sponsored it, would soon turn its back on in favour of tightly targeted and budgeted productions. A curio, certainly, and contrived too, but done this well who can complain… 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
Riding on Air Riding on Air
Documentary 1959 16 mins Location: London
A beautiful and evocative survey of cycling's golden years.
The Fatal Floor The Fatal Floor
Public Information Filler 1974 1 mins
Typically hard-hitting public information film about the threat posed by combining a rug and a freshly polished floor.
Handkerchief Drill Handkerchief Drill
Public Information Filler 1949 1 mins
Another of Richard Massingham’s snappy public information fillers finds the oafish everyman’s personal hygiene in question again.
District Nurse District Nurse
Government sponsored film 1952 27 mins Location: Wadhurst
Never a dull moment for a rural district nurse in the early days of the NHS.
Race Relations Board Race Relations Board
Public Information Filler 1969 1 mins
New law targets discrimination in housing and employment in this eye-opening public information film.
The Smoking Machine The Smoking Machine
Documentary 1964 16 mins
Documentary warning children about the drawbacks of cigarettes – not least their addictiveness.
Scotland Trip 1939 - Part 2 Scotland Trip 1939 - Part 2
Amateur film 1939 18 mins Silent Location: Edinburgh
This Scottish home movie takes in the delights of Edinburgh Zoo and picturesque Helensburgh on the Firth of Clyde.
County of Northumberland County of Northumberland
Amateur film 1963 19 mins Silent Location: Holy Island
The toe-dipping delights and tranquillity of the Northumbrian Riviera and beyond.
Heart of a People - Scottish Festival Heart of a People - Scottish Festival
Amateur film 1947 17 mins Silent Location: Edinburgh
Take in the length and breadth of majestic Scotland in this vibrant amateur travelogue
Dollarbeg (Part 2) Dollarbeg (Part 2)
Amateur film 1936 13 mins Silent Location: Dollarbeg
Continuation of an amateur film capturing a family holiday in Dollarbeg Castle, including trips to Stirling and Edinburgh.
Night Mail Night Mail
Documentary 1936 24 mins Location: Euston Sta
The flagship of the GPO Film Unit's output and a cornerstone of British documentary, featuring music by Benjamin Britten and the verse of W.H. Auden.
Powderhall Marathon Powderhall Marathon
Non-Fiction 1925 1 mins Silent Location: Edinburgh
A short report on the winners of the marathon and sprint in Edinburgh - now known as the New Year Sprint
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.