Colour on the Thames (1935)

[marcjboy1]

Yes, it will provoke some to comment on how London has changed, i.e the ethnic mix now. London has changed, it's nice to see these films which show just how much the country and London has changed. I think it's fair to those ethnic minorities to say that some Londoners aren't in favour of them. It's not racist, it's just saying the change isn't always welcome, whatever colour your skin is.

[jigen08]

@marcjboy1: But the change they're opposing is based on race and culture, not the myriad other changes (architectural, transportation, technological, etc.)

Maybe racist isn't the best term. How about cultural bigot? White supremacist?

[TheSeanm102]

just think a lot of the guys in this film would be off to war in a few years

[brimstonehill]

One of the most beautiful vintage colour films I've ever seen.

[TheChrisrg]

Enchanting piece of footage.

[canzoet]

Absolutely fascinating. A time when the British merchant navy was at the top. Maybe my late father was on one of these ships!! Things have certainly changed.

[deliow]

I dont think they are STUPID RACISTS, but SENSIBLE REALISTS.

[jigen08]

@deliow: They are racist, pure and simple. They don't come on here to moan about the increased traffic, the decline in architectural beauty, the increased technology, the increased noise and pollution. Their gripe is that London is less white and more diverse.

I wouldn't call them stupid racists, because that's redundant.

[Londonfogey]

@jigen08 I agree that it seems odd that people don't seem to mind other changes since the 1930s such as those you mentioned. But I do think people have the right to question Britain's immigration policies if done so in a reasonable way, without being called racist.

[pacornerpolska]

My grandfather was born in Chelsea in 1921 (he's still going strong in 2011). It's Amazing to see the city just as he'd have seen it as a teenager.

[jigen08]

Simpler times; it was a lot better before all these BNP thugs came up to make the world an uglier place.

[Londonfogey]

@jigen08 They had BNP thugs at that time also (in the form of Oswald Mosley's blackshirts)...

[halogen123]

Is it just the colour on the film or was Tower Bridge really that colour at 2:40?

[DowdingPowell]

@halogen123 Have a search on the web for "tower bridge paint analysis". You'll find a fascinating video from Jan 2010. Not a definite answer to your question, but, as well as a different colour, filth seems a contender :)

[DowdingPowell]

Can anyone tell me what the music is that accompanies this film, particularly the movement that starts about 4 minutes in?

[DowdingPowell]

@DowdingPowell Apologies for replying to myself, however, after much searching I have found the answer: Handel - Concerto Grosso in B Minor HWV330 - Mov. 3

[caesiume]

@DowdingPowell Thanks for the information :)

[marmadukesymesparker]

Am I the only one who thinks what a shame he decided to waste it on boring old boats.

[colindecon]

at the begining its kingston and richmond bridge :)

[atlantic1952]

Lovely to see this, many thanks for showing how great England was before the war and mass immigration ruined it.

[latham29]

@atlantic1952 what it it about the videos on this channel that encourages all the stupid racists to vent their bile?

[fenackerpan]

@latham29

Nothing wrong with preferring something different from your preferences. Loads of things wrong with Britain at this time, but eclipsed by the negative future changes coming our way.

[jagerfaust2009]

@atlantic1952 Funny how a fond memory of better times labels us as (racist) lol

I'd turn back the clock any day of the week......................

[bolobo]

@atlantic1952 ditto latham29's comment. Personally I love our multiculturism. Cosmopolitan societies are far more interesting to live in.

[applecounty]

A quick look on the net to identify the ship' Dartford', being assisted by tugs, reveals that she was torpedoed on 12th June 1942 with the loss of thirty, of her forty seven crew. I suspect this is the same ship as the one I found was built 1930.

Makes this rare colour footage all the more poignant.

[kludd28]

Following an afternoon of cranky customers & co-workers, this is a nice rest.

Color images from this period (30's & 40's) are magical for me, these people & things a re usually black & white and only look 'real' in greyscale, color gives things I have never seen such depth. Nice animation at the beginning too.

[nickw1938]

I sailed from the Pool twenty two years later - it looks amazingly familiar !

Thanks to BFI for this/these lovely images.

[yaknbo]

Very nice. 

[LeHosko]

Lovely footage, interesting to see the flow of traffic on London Bridge, must have been a Sunday, the docks did indeed look quite quiet, maybe the camera wasn't getting in deep enough. Anyone know that art deco building in the background around 1:54?

[wassupdoggies1]

@LeHosko It's Shell Mex House.

[alan4391]

very nice footage

[incongra]

Thank you for 8 minutes and 28 seconds of sanity and thoughtfulness. These BFI clips are very much appreciated.

Loved the gentleman on the tug "primrose" with the tweed jacket and a hankie in his top pocket. Another striking thing is that all these dock workers- without exception- seem to get on perfectly well without the obligatory fluorescent lifejackets their "risk assessments" would require them to wear nowadays.

[spoonraker1]

Fantastic!!! Thanks BFI for all the great work you do.

[AFCR1972]

At 1.40 we see Richmond Bridge and some of the buildings that were incorporated into Quinlan Terry's redevelopment in the 1980s.

[greencatmusic]

What a fascinating film, for many reasons. One of the most striking things for me is the lack of plane trails across the sky in those days! Lovely pantomime clouds, no white artificial stripes spreading and blocking the blue and the sunlight out day after day... but what a special film this is. Thank you for sharing it with us. Hope it stays up as have added to my favourites ;) Thank you

[zakgeorge21]

Wonderful! Truly a work of art.

Zak George