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Explore archive films
See shorts and features, showing the best from the BFI, national and regional archives - including 120 years of Britain on film
What we're watching
D-Day FilmD-Day Film
Amateur film194414 minsSilent
Amateur footage showing troops on deck in a buoyant mood ahead of the landings.
The Navy and the NationThe Navy and the Nation
Documentary194319 mins
An impressive overview of the work of the men and women responsible for organising, planning and producing equipment for the US Navy in 1943, from riveters to radar manufacturers.
Cedar Wood & SilkCedar Wood & Silk
199514 mins
Insightful exploration of the relationship between a Jamaican mother and her British-born daughter.
Southend StorySouthend Story
Documentary196511 mins Location: Southend-on-Sea
It's oil that keeps the Essex seaside town warm and cosy - and this film shows how.
David Is HomosexualDavid Is Homosexual
Drama-documentary197838 mins Location: Lewisham
A lonely gay man discovers friends, love and activism in this rediscovered educational film made by the Campaign for Homosexual Equality
British Rail - Introducing AwaydayBritish Rail - Introducing Awayday
Advert19721 mins
Take a trip with off-peak away day travel.
The Body BeautifulThe Body Beautiful
Animation & Artists Moving Image199024 mins
Autobiographical account of a mother-daughter relationship, exploring beauty standards and female sexuality.
A Dog Called DiscordA Dog Called Discord
Documentary202323 mins
BAFTA-winning director Mark Jenkin (BAIT, Enys Men) explores his fascination with the magic of film.
The Finishing LineThe Finishing Line
Instructional film/TV programme197721 mins
In this surrealist short, John Krish and Michael Gilmour tell a perilous tale at the railway station. Mind the gap - this is going to get scary.
Walsall MarketWalsall Market
News19736 mins Location: Walsall
The sights and sounds of Walsall Market
Turn-Up for TonyTurn-Up for Tony
Comedy196829 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
A Tyne Tees Television comedy romance is a forgotten gem from a 1960s decade of radical urban change in Newcastle.
Llanddwyn IslandLlanddwyn Island
Home movie19558 minsSilent Location: Llanddwyn Island/Ynys Llanddwyn
Sea pinks and samphire, lighthouses and church ruins – Llanddwyn’s charms are many and varied.
The VolunteerThe Volunteer
War194442 mins Location: Denham
Entertaining and evocative Fleet Air Arm drama-doc propaganda piece, written and directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.
Return to the Edge of the WorldReturn to the Edge of the World
Documentary197824 mins Location: Shetland Islands
Michael Powell makes a moving return trip to the remote island of Foula, forty years after he shot his first major feature there.
An Airman's Letter to His MotherAn Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary19416 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The British Way of HealthThe British Way of Health
Documentary197327 mins Location: London
A portrayal of the NHS which shows off the “marvellous” system to audiences around the world.
Organ Donor Card: Organ BoxOrgan Donor Card: Organ Box
19931 mins
An urgently filmed appeal for organ donation.
You and Your HealthYou and Your Health
Documentary197922 mins
The Community Health Council of Wales blows its own trumpet in myriad ways, including animation, to draw attention to their NHS advisory service.
Back to the CommunityBack to the Community
Documentary198629 mins Location: Bolton
Local authorities trial the Thatcher government’s new ‘care in the community’ initiative.
Tracing the Spread of InfectionTracing the Spread of Infection
Documentary194923 mins
Doctors undertake forensic-style detective work to identify the origins of outbreaks, in the fascinating film from the early days of the NHS.
The Strange Case of Penny AllisonThe Strange Case of Penny Allison
Training film/TV programme200218 mins
Imelda Staunton and Hugh Laurie as you've not quite seen them before: in a comedy training video for Britain’s National Blood Service.
Bob in the PoundBob in the Pound
Advert19432 minsSilent
Fun-filled singalong savings ad with a dangerously catchy theme tune.
Sweethearts ForeverSweethearts Forever
Musical194534 mins
Feast your eyes on a bewildering barrage of forgotten British variety turns in this strange low-budget novelty short from 1945.
CabaretCabaret
Musical194510 mins
Set during rehearsals for a cabaret show, this short film features singer Rosalind Melville.
Five Guineas a WeekFive Guineas a Week
Musical195633 mins
1950s song and dance revue set in a colourful world of boarding houses and coffee bars
Devil's RockDevil's Rock
Musical193851 mins Location: Bangor
Will new open-air microphone technology give Richard Hayward the chance to silence his critics? Watch as Cushendun and Bangor steal the show.
Co-operetteCo-operette
Advert193815 mins
See silly slapstick, music, mayhem and a daffy dance-off between a carrot and an onion in this lively colour film advertising Co-op stores.
Featured collections
Queer Britain
This colourful and challenging collection explores screen representations of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lives over the past century.
Black Britain on Film
Striking, illuminating and sometimes surprising images of black culture, community and characters, spanning over a century of British film and TV.
NHS on Film
Film has the power to change lives – and even save them. No surprise, then, that moving images have played an important role in one of the world’s greatest public health services.