The East Anglian Film Archive, the first and largest Regional Film Archive in England, was established in 1976. Since 1984, EAFA has been owned and operated by the University of East Anglia, Norwich (UEA), to support research and work to preserve our moving image heritage. More than 250 hours are freely available online as examples of the wide range of film which attracts interest the world over.
This film is part of Free
Gainsborough Bicentenary Celebrations
Commemorations for 'The Blue Boy' author, English painter Thomas Gainsborough, in his home town of Sudbury; a local newsreel to mark the bi-centenary of his birth.
From the collection of:
Overview
This newsreel, produced to be screened in local picturehouses, shows the bicentenary celebrations by the citizens of Sudbury as they commemorate the much-admired Sudbury-born painter, Thomas Gainsborough, whose notable works include 'The Blue Boy'. The whole town gathers in the streets, with a parade of dignitaries, attended by none other than the President of the Royal Academy, Sir Frank Dicksee, and gathering at the memorial statue of the artist in the town centre.
Thomas Gainsborough was born in Sudbury, Suffolk, the eighth of nine children of a textile manufacturer. He was baptised on May 14th 1727 at the Independent Meeting House. He moved to London during the early 1740s and worked as a picture restorer and as an apprentice, painting background and minor figures for other artists, including Wynants. He also drew scenes to be made into engravings from the print trade. Although he painted some landscapes, he is remembered for his portraiture. Some of Gainsborough's notable landscapes include The Market Cart, Peasant Smoking At The Cottage Door, Landscape with Farming Scenes and Landscape with Gypsies. Gainsborough died from cancer on 3rd August, 1788.
Related
Watch for free
Mining Review 25th Year No. 9 Mining Review 25th Year No. 9
1972 10 mins Location: Mayfair
A painterly profile of County Durham's brilliant miner-artist Tom McGuinness.
Watch for free
Figures in a Landscape Figures in a Landscape
Documentary 1953 17 mins Silent Location: St Ives
A poetic portrait of sculptor Barbara Hepworth and the otherworldly Cornish landscapes which inspired her.
Watch for free
Dancers Dancers
1978 29 mins
Impressionistic portrait of life as a dancer in London’s Ballet Rambert.
Watch for free
Giacometti Giacometti
Documentary 1967 14 mins
Spend a few intense minutes with Giacometti in his Paris studio and see him at work on his striking sculptures.
Watch for free
Portrait of David Hockney Portrait of David Hockney
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1972 13 mins
Filmed at the time Hockney was painting Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy, this compelling study concentrates on the textures and light which surround the artist in his home and studio.
Watch for free
Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt
Documentary 1984 61 mins
Discover the 'name behind the hairstyle', in this essential portrait of the bard of Salford, aka John Cooper Clarke.
Watch for free
Sudbury Market (About Women Anglia TV series) Sudbury Market (About Women Anglia TV series)
Factual TV 1973 7 mins Location: Sudbury
In Sudbury, Suffolk, traders and customers shows it's not just bargains but entertainment and personal contact drawing them to the street market rather than the supermarket.
Watch for free
Visit to Silk Factory in Sudbury, Suffolk Visit to Silk Factory in Sudbury, Suffolk
News 1976 3 mins Location: Sudbury
Silk of every colour is used inside an East Anglian factory where women weavers work to produce the world's finest textiles.
Watch for free
Anglia Reports - Railways Transport Special Anglia Reports - Railways Transport Special
Documentary 1982 24 mins Location: Norwich
1982 was a particularly bad year for rail commuters, with five weeks of rail strikes to contend with. Anglia Television asks, “What shall we do with the railways system?”
Watch for free
Sudbury Market Sudbury Market
Amateur film 1979 8 mins Silent Location: Sudbury
Sudbury's market dates back to 1009! One of Suffolk's popular markets, amateur filmmaker John Anderson documents the stall holders and their visitors circa 1979.
Watch for free
Sudbury, Suffolk and District Sudbury, Suffolk and District
Non-Fiction 1963 12 mins Location: Sudbury
Sudbury is steeped in history as a market town and in the wool and weaving industry. But its main claim to fame is as birthplace and inspiration to Thomas Gainsborough.
Watch for free
Sudbury Celebrations Sudbury Celebrations
Non-Fiction 1935 11 mins Silent Location: Sudbury
The people of Sudbury pull out all the stops to mark King George V's Silver Jubilee with an action packed day of celebrations and festivities for all ages.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.