Colour on the Thames (1935)

(This is a higher-quality version of one of BFIFilms' most popular titles)

This film is tricky to describe: is it a boat study, a film-poem, an experiment, a picture postcard? One thing is certain: it's a rare colour snapshot of the Thames and London in the 1930s - and it looks quite magical.

Its artistic qualities may look a bit old-fashioned to us today; the slow pace, orchestral music and moody colours definitely belong to a bygone era, strikingly peaceful and undemanding. Yet colour film was still a novelty for audiences in 1935, and the photography (using the new Gasparcolor system) succeeds in accentuating the sharp contrast between the vivid green banks of the countryside and the drab tones of the industrial landscape. (Sonia Genaitay)

'Colour on the Thames' is included on the BFI DVD 'Science is Fiction / The Sounds of Science: The films of Jean Painleve' - http://filmstore.bfi.org.uk/acatalog/info_4823.html

You can watch over 2000 other complete films and TV programmes from the BFI National Archive free of charge at the BFI Mediatheques: - http://www.bfi.org.uk/mediatheque

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• BFI National Archive
• London
• Thames
• river
• ships
• boats
• sailing
• Tower Bridge
• Docklands
• Gasparcolor
• Thirties
• 30s
• 1930s

[latham29]

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

[brimstonehill]

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

[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.

[Londonfogey]

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

[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?

[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.

[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.

[TheSeanm102]

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

[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.