British Pathe

A British Travel Association presentation. Documentary about the River Thames.

L/S of the Houses of Parliament with a small launch travelling past on the river. Low angle shot of Big Ben. Various shots of London landmarks - Tower of London, County Hall, Tower Bridge, high angle of the city...

A British Travel Association presentation. Documentary about the River Thames.

L/S of the Houses of Parliament with a small launch travelling past on the river. Low angle shot of Big Ben. Various shots of London landmarks - Tower of London, County Hall, Tower Bridge, high angle of the city etc. Shots of the river from a helicopter, large ship approaching a quayside towed by tugs. M/S of a team of "swan uppers" rowing along the river - they are taking a census of swans on the river. Various shots of teams of rowers as they negotiate locks and stretches of the river between Henley and London Bridge. C/Us of swans and cygnets. C/U of royal flag on the back of one of the boats. Voiceover describes difference between Royal, Dyers and Vintners swans. C/U of men marking beaks of a swans. L/Ss of Thames sailing barges lining up for their annual race. Various shots of the boats, sails, men at work on the boats etc. A miniature cannon starts the race. Oxford and Cambridge boat race - various shots of the contest. Tower Bridge being opened for QE2 (check this). Shots of the ship, spectators, maritime workers etc. Some kind of parade of boats in fancy dress (?!) eg a boat representing a Viking ship. Possibly to commemorate the Royal visit. Queen Elizabeth walks across a bridge whilst elderly men in some kind of uniform stand holding rowing blades. Royal oarsmen of some sort. A military band plays on board a boat which passes the camera. Dignitaries on board a boat decorated with royal standards wave their arms in "three cheers" as they pass the camera. A boat passes with people on board in Elizabethan dress. A small boat has a giant figure on board which seems to represent an air raid warden. Various shots of a tightrope walker crossing the river. C/U of spectators watching his progress. Crowds applaud as he reaches his destination. Night shots - street lamp being lit, underground sign, lights of Piccadilly. Voiceover speaks of tourists visiting the capital. "The wide eyed sightseer beside you may be from Tooting or Texas, Dartford or Delhi." Fireworks display over the Thames. Boat trip on the Thames at night. Lights are reflected in the water. Chelsea Bridge. Festival Gardens. Tate Gallery mentioned on the soundtrack. Houses of Parliament. County Hall lit up.

Royal Festival Hall seen from a moving boat at night. Clock on Shellmex (?) House. Waterloo Bridge. Somerset House. Unilever House by Blackfriars Bridge. St Paul's Cathedral. Narrator states how war damage to London has meant that St Paul's is now visible on the skyline as Sir Christopher Wren intended. Various ships that use the river Thames are described. Tower Bridge. The Cutty Sark at Greenwich. Royal Naval College and National Maritime Museum housed at the Palace of Greenwich.

Note: good shots of London landmarks and voiceover describing the various roles of the River Thames. The night shots are all very dark (naturally!)