Bristol, British City

Mark Cosgrove, our Cinema Curator, says:

"Delve further into Bristol’s past on screen in this fascinating documentary on the history of the city which was made to promote Bristol as a destination for industry and culture. This film which we have selected on our BFI Player page is also part of a wonderful archive resource of films which the BFI have presented on a map of the UK. You can view - for free - films from around you or explore further afield."

More info on Bristol, British City, from BFI Player:

How a thousand years of history have helped the West Country capital to emerge from the blitz as a modern city of art and industry. Explore mid-century Bristol in this City Council-funded documentary journeying from Clifton to King Street; around Hotwells, the Floating Harbour, and out to the Avonmouth docks, taking stock of the city's 'great men' and monuments.

This film was commissioned to promote Bristol as a destination for industry, culture and development at the Festival of Britain in 1951. Unusually for the time, it was directed by a woman - Mary Francis. Francis had a short career as a director for World Wide Pictures, but this was her last film.

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