There is much that is compelling about this BFI footage of London from over 100 years ago – the horses, the congestion, the clothes – and the sheer number of advertisements for brands which we still buy today.
But there is one moment which is more than that. A hundred years on, we know this moment – replicated hundreds of times around the world – was the moment when everything changed. Its at the very end (3:53)…
aah yes, the motorcar! Fantastic post! hauntingly beautiful…
The seemingly free form and random movement of all the carriages is astonishing, there seems to be no stopping or giving way; just a seamless ballet set in streets that appear to be full of horse droppings.
I bet the smell was something else.
The motor car is interesting as it is using wagon/cart wheels, and as traditional to the cart, it is using much larger wheels on the rear than on the front.
It’s a pity the BFI do not make footage like this available to those outside the UK even for a fee.
Thanks for sharing this.
Really enjoyed this! Those open omnibuses- didn’t it ever rain in the early 1900′s?! And that busy little motorcar, foretelling the knackers yard for all those lovely horses.
Nestles seemed to have the bus advertising sewn up.
Whats that music playing? SO GREAT
Hi Ak. Thanks for commenting – the music is a composed and performed by James Pearson with the Ronnie Scott’s All Stars.
The clip of Charing Cross looks like it is taken from nearly the same spot as when it appears in the colour VE Day film!
Thank you for this, I never realized that they had movies that early.
i am in that film