Archived News and Features
Archived News
Tales from the Shipyard
The BFI National Archive explores one of Britain's defining industries through a fascinating collection of films, including a striking polemic directed by one Sean Connery.
Chaplin at Keystone
He's silent cinema's most iconic character, but where did the Little Tramp come from? After nearly a decade of international archival collaboration, a new DVD release showcases Chaplin's first year on camera.
Halas & Batchelor
The 'British Disney' produced feature-length animations, public information films and even a Kraftwerk video - all now donated to the Archive.
Boom Britain: The Reception
The BFI's major project on postwar British documentary attracted rave press reviews and articles, enthusiastic audiences and personal messages from the filmmakers.
Boom Britain: Shadows of Progress
The BFI's major new project charts the neglected history of postwar British documentary, including the long-awaited sequel to the DVD box set Land of Promise.
The Archive at the LFF
The premiere of the restored The Great White Silence and a taste of the riches of British postwar documentary were among the highlights of the recent London Film Festival.
Lester's Legacy
US-born director Richard Lester, whose career highlights include Help!, A Hard Day's Night and The Three Musketeers, donates his 'detritus' (his word, not ours) to the BFI.
Long Live Film: The Archive at 75
This summer marked the Archive 75th birthday, and it celebrated in style, highlighting every aspect of its many activities in live events and online, while launching ambitious new projects.
The Great British Home Movie
In the wake of a BBC series exploring the hidden wonders of amateur film, we consider home movies' surprising breadth, and offer some valuable advice on looking after your collection.
BFI Most Wanted
Join the hunt for Britain's 75 most sought-after missing films, including absent works from the likes of Hitchcock and Michael Powell.
From Rio to Noir
2010's Archive restorations of Alberto Cavalcanti's Went The Day Well? and They Made Me A Fugitive, accompanied by a retrospective of the Brazilian-born director.
Decisions, Decisions...
How the coverage of the unpredictable and protracted 2010 election, and British TV in general, is preserved for posterity by the BFI National Archive.
The COI and the BFI
A new series of DVDs explores this vast collection of government-produced films now managed by the Archive, touching on everything from criminal justice to fashion tips.
Alice in Cyberspace
Alice awoke to find herself the star of the BFI's biggest online hit to date, with over 850,000 YouTube views and a surprising celebrity endorsement.
Features
Boom Britain: Preserving Post-War Documentary
Scott Stark takes us through the complex technical and logistical procedures involved in the Boom Britain project.
Dangerous Beauty: The Joy of Nitrate Film
Curator Sonia Genaitay explains the very special qualities of original nitrate film stock, whose vivid beauty is in direct proportion to its volatility.
