This film is part of Free
Scenes at Chester on the River Dee (1901)
Messing about in boats on the River Dee - fine frocks and frolics at Chester Regatta.
Overview
1901's Chester regatta (established 1733) was reported in the local press as "a brilliant success indeed", although there was also an odd, apparently disapproving reference to the "decadence of first-class oarsmanship." Regardless, on this evidence, most of the onlookers had a grand day out, and there was also the opportunity for some romantic boat trips to secluded spots away from the bustle.
The filmmakers made some confusing editing and camera positioning decisions by today's standards, with the direction of travel along the river apparently changing between different shots. There is some uncertainty over which order each of the four short rolls were intended to be seen - they may even have been intended to be screened as four separate films.
Related
The Derby 1896 The Derby 1896
Sport 1896 0 mins Silent
A pioneering example of filmed news: from Epsom to the screen in record time
Feeding the Tigers Feeding the Tigers
Interest film 1899 1 mins Silent
A big cat has to perform for its supper in this early actuality film
H.M.S. Powerful Moored at Portsmouth H.M.S. Powerful Moored at Portsmouth
Non-Fiction 1900 0 mins Silent Location: Portsmouth
Take a good look at one of the era's largest warships - the hefty H.M.S. Powerful, back from the Boer War
Belfast Street Scenes 1890's Belfast Street Scenes 1890's
Non-Fiction 1898 2 mins Silent Location: Belfast
A view down the High Street featuring the Albert Clock, a shot of Queen's Bridge and the docks
Beach Scene Beach Scene
Non-Fiction 1897 1 mins Silent
A charming image of children paddling on a pebbly beach on a hot summer's day
Beagles Beagles
Amateur film 1898 2 mins Silent
A pack of beagles are assembled for a hunt by their trainers and a huntsman
Chester Chester
1933 10 mins Location: Chester
From the Roman ruins to the Rows, two thousand years of history in Cheshire are introduced to a wider British public
Chester Zoo, Ceredigion Church and Chapel, and Carno Chester Zoo, Ceredigion Church and Chapel, and Carno
Home movie 1965 7 mins Silent Location: Chester
Chester Zoo – built for the conservation of animals - and churches and chapels in Ceredigion and Powys that are preserved for posterity.
North Wales, England: The Land of Castles and Waterfalls North Wales, England: The Land of Castles and Waterfalls
Travelogue 1907 15 mins Silent Location: Chester
An Edwardian excursion along the crenelated coast of North Wales from the walls of Chester to the wilds of Snowdonia.
Historic Chester Historic Chester
Travelogue 1921 14 mins Silent Location: Chester
Step inside the great city walls of Chester and embark on a tour of olde-worlde charm.
Vale of Llangollen Vale of Llangollen
Amateur film 1946 4 mins Silent Location: Chester
It's market day in Llangollen: sheep, pigs and calves are brought to the town on foot or by lorry and unloaded and re-loaded. It's all go but there is still time for tea and a smoke.
Llangollen Agricultural Shows Llangollen Agricultural Shows
Home movie 1946 17 mins Silent Location: Llangollen
Caesar Hughes, a clock-maker with shops in Chirk and Llangollen, keeps track of post-war times, recording local events on film e.g. agricultural shows, the River Dee in spate.
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.