Blackfriars Bridge (1896)

'Blackfriars Bridge' is available to buy as part of the BFI DVD compilation 'R.W. Paul: The Collected Films 1895-1908' - http://filmstore.bfi.org.uk/acatalog/info_2786.html

The definition of 'rush hour' in London grows woollier as the years pass: at its worst it seems to stretch demonically from 6am to 9pm.

Journey back over a century to July 1896, though, and this tantalising half-minute of footage reveals our Victorian counterparts making their way to work across the Thames by tram, horse-drawn carriage and, for the health-conscious (or the poor), good old Shanks' pony. More or less business as usual then, although compared to the daily human onslaught we face in 21st century London, the commuters caught by R.W. Paul's static camera proceed at an enviably elegant pace. (Simon McCallum)

For more information about filmmaker R.W. Paul see http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/449512/index.html

You can watch over 1200 other complete films and TV programmes from the BFI National Archive free of charge at the new BFI Mediatheque - http://www.bfi.org.uk/mediatheque

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• BFI
• Blackfriars
• Bridge
• London
• Traffic
• Carriage
• Horses
• Commuters
• Rush
• Hour
• Victorian
• 1890s

[LynxCoding]

Imagine going back in time and asking them if they wanna play a game of Call of Duty.

[RepublicOfVietnam]

1896 eh, back when Britain ruled over a quarter the world and was a superpower. 

[LatinPrayers]

@Floodlezoot lol

[Floodlezoot]

Imagine going back in time, and letting them try Runts (the fruit shaped candy).

[sveisleif]

Imagine going back in time and telling them that one day their faces would end up on youtube...

[Licmycat]

Wow....everytime I see these kinds of old pixs there is always a woman with the black dress and hats that make them look like witches....freaks me out. Was black witches the fashion in those days? lol...

[epiksonik]

@RepublicOfVietnam

it's easy to troll the world when there is rampant ingnorance. Britain deserves its present state.

[Linkage1992]

The oldest person in the world was born in 1896.

[ClaudeLeung1985]

@ChrysChambers What you thought?

[ChrysChambers]

@ClaudeLeung1985 I just thought the same thing.

[ClaudeLeung1985]

Video's people all dead

We just watching Dead People walking

[elvaelvirababe]

@menacinghat Oh no, I meant periodic films nowdays.