From the earliest days of cinema, the pomp and pageantry of a grand royal occasion has been a spectacular subject for innovative filmmakers. The BFI is proud to present this specially curated two-disc set of rare royal films from its national collections. A wealth of fascinating footage, some previously unseen, includes Queen Victoria's first appearance on film in the newly restored Scenes at Balmoral (1896), and early colour productions which illustrate the development of British filmmaking techniques (with the first colour film of Trooping the Colour) right up to Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953. These surprising films also offer rare glimpses of touching royal moments, including the birth of Princess Elizabeth, the royal family at home during World War II, and a behind-the-scenes film made for Daimler of the 1947 royal tour of South Africa.
Brand new restorations of 'Scenes at Balmoral' (1896)
Restoration feature (BFI, 2012, 30 secs): side-by-side comparison of before and after restoration of Scenes at Balmoral
Buckingham Palace Allotment (Topical Budget, 1918, 1 min): the Topical Budget newsreel covers wartime turnip growing in the palace gardens
Playing Fields Association: Football (1951, 5 mins): appeal by Prince Philip and Wilfred Pickles on behalf of the National Playing Fields Association
Playing Fields Association: Cricket (1955, 5 mins): appeal by Prince Philip, Bob Hope and Kenneth Moore on behalf of the National Playing Fields Association
Disc 1:
This disc includes the following episodes:
- Queen Victoria
- Edward Vll and Queen Alexandra
- George V and Queen Mary
- Special Features
Disc 2:
This disc includes the following episodes:
- George Vl and Queen Elizabeth
- Elizabeth ll
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