This film is part of Free
Riding Abreast
Three carefree schoolgirl cyclists learn the dangers of 'riding abreast' in this quaint cautionary tale shot in idyllic countryside.
Overview
Jill, Mary and Brenda learn the rules of the road the hard way in this charming cautionary tale, made for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Full of idyllic pastoral scenes - the girls go butterfly-spotting, ride horses and picnic on a mountain-top - all filmed in glorious Kodachrome colour, this is as much a record of dreamy summer holidays gone by as a treatise on road safety.
RoSPA sponsored many instructional films for children in the 30s and 40s. This one may have been made by a local amateur cine club (for screening at village halls rather than cinemas) and is all the more lovely for it. The filmmaker clearly revelled in the beautiful scenery: the close-up shots of butterflies and caterpillars are poetic, if perhaps a little distracting from the serious business of road safety!
Related
Amelia and the Angel Amelia and the Angel
Amateur film 1958 26 mins Location: South Kensington
A young angel scours London for her wings in this tender short by the young Ken Russell.
Eagle Rock Eagle Rock
Children's 1965 62 mins Location: Lake District National Park
A teenage boy breaks all the rules of rock climbing to reach the top of an off-limits Lake District mountain.
Playing on Beach (Passmore Family Film) Playing on Beach (Passmore Family Film)
Home movie 1903 1 mins Silent Location: Bognor Regis
Utterly gorgeous Edwardian home movie of a family's day out with bucket and spade on Bognor Regis beach.
Village School Village School
Documentary 1940 11 mins Location: Ashley Green
WWII evacuees adapt to village life in a patriotic documentary starring a real Buckinghamshire school teacher.
Do Something! Do Something!
Current affairs 1970 27 mins Location: Islington
This Week investigates how racial tensions in Islington are being stoked by social pressures, and what residents are doing to improve the area.
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.