• Short Summary

    Rowers at Oxford race to win the title 'Head of the River'.

  • Description

    Full title reads: "Oxford. 'The Torpids'. Spurred to utmost endeavour by encouraging yells of their College mates - 38 Crews strive for 'Headship of the River'."

    Oxford, Oxfordshire.

    A starting gun is fired and teams of rowers set off from their points on the river. A man in a punt is holding each team in place before the start of the race.

    Several teams of rowers race up the river. There is cheering from the banks.

    Young men run along the bank and over a small bridge, following the progress of their various teams. People are lining the banks of the river to watch the race. Pan follows two boats as they progress down the river.

    Closer shot of two boats as the first one crosses the finish. A gun shot is heard to signal the finish. The cox of the winning boat raises his hand in triumph.

    (Natural sound track only - No commentary)

  • Tags

  • Data

    Film ID:
    663.40
    Media URN:
    4809
    Group:
    Pathe newsreels
    Archive:
    British Pathé
    Issue Date:
    22/02/1932
    Sound:
    Sound
    HD Format:
    Available on request
    Stock:
    Black & White
    Duration:
    00:01:05:00
    Time in/Out:
    01:48:57:00 / 01:50:02:00
    Canister:
    32/15

Comments (1)

  1. Lorna.S says

    Awesome video but just a note on the description: This is a 'bumps' race which means boats chase each other in single file, each crew attempting to catch and 'bump; the boat in front without being caught by the boat behind. So the boat behind is actually the winning boat. The cox isn't raising his hand in triumph but conceding. To 'bump' you have to make physical contact with the boat in front, the cox is attempting to prevent this but does it too late.

We always welcome comments and more information about our films.
All posts are reactively checked. Libellous and abusive comments are forbidden.

Add your comment