Vintage film, TV, documents, and photographic footage from down the years

[Tintin]

Moscow 1930s: more absolutely charming footage from Moscow in the 1930s which looks as if it may be pre-WW2

[Bill Ryan]

A reminder to us all, maybe, that all empires eventually fail and fall.

Sir Frederick Stanley Maude leads victorious British troops into Baghdad, 1917:

[Tintin]

"In space no one can hear you scream"

The original movie trailer for Alien (1979)

[grapevine]

London 1600s (AI Reconstruction)

Cheating a bit because this is a new ai-generated clip based on paintings of Old London Bridge, but found it extraordinarily fascinating nevertheless and hope you will too.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=994nGl4m-VM

"Journey through 17th-century London, a transformative era in British history when the City of London stood on the edge of catastrophe and change. From plague-ridden streets to the Great Fire of 1666, this historical exploration reveals a city shaped by survival, trade, and early urban growth. Discover how modern AI video technology, using period artwork and historical records, reconstructs London before industrialization with striking realism, bringing the sights, scale, and atmosphere of 1600s London vividly back to life."

[Paul D.]

Posted by grapevine (here)
London 1600s (AI Reconstruction)

Cheating a bit because this is a new ai-generated clip based on paintings of Old London Bridge, but found it extraordinarily fascinating nevertheless and hope you will too.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=994nGl4m-VM

"Journey through 17th-century London, a transformative era in British history when the City of London stood on the edge of catastrophe and change. From plague-ridden streets to the Great Fire of 1666, this historical exploration reveals a city shaped by survival, trade, and early urban growth. Discover how modern AI video technology, using period artwork and historical records, reconstructs London before industrialization with striking realism, bringing the sights, scale, and atmosphere of 1600s London vividly back to life."

That's the best use of A.I. I've seen yet. I always been fascinated with that bridge, so that was a real treat.
Many thanks Grapevine 👍

[Mark (Star Mariner)]

I agree, that was indeed a treat, and an excellent demonstration of AI being used for something productive and highly worthwhile.

[Bill Ryan]

Posted by Mark (Star Mariner) (here)
I agree, that was indeed a treat, and an excellent demonstration of AI being used for something productive and highly worthwhile.

Entirely agreed. I was captivated. At school, social history was the one subject I could never get into. Lifelike reconstructions like this would have enthralled me and drawn me right in.

[Brigantia]

Posted by grapevine (here)
London 1600s (AI Reconstruction)

Cheating a bit because this is a new ai-generated clip based on paintings of Old London Bridge, but found it extraordinarily fascinating nevertheless and hope you will too.

I'm so glad you posted this as I came across this one a couple of days ago, an AI reconstruction of 18th century London; a century on from the video that you posted. It fascinated me to see how small London was then, and fields stretching off into the distance that are now covered over with the concrete of Greater London. I also feel that this is a worthy use of AI that can help us to visualise the past.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=f7eacR8S_C0

[Ewan]

Posted by grapevine (here)
London 1600s (AI Reconstruction)

Cheating a bit because this is a new ai-generated clip based on paintings of Old London Bridge, but found it extraordinarily fascinating nevertheless and hope you will too.

"Journey through 17th-century London, a transformative era in British history when the City of London stood on the edge of catastrophe and change. From plague-ridden streets to the Great Fire of 1666, this historical exploration reveals a city shaped by survival, trade, and early urban growth.

Barely a synchronicity, but earlier today I was listening to the 'Dark History of Nursery Rhymes' which included "London Bridge is Falling Down". In the little game/dance the children do there are two kids holding each other arms aloft akin to an archway which 'collapses' at some point trapping a victim. Well it transpires there is a good chance that the bridge builders followed a practice known as immurement which would have imprisoned (entombed) victims/sacrifices within the pillars of the bridge.

We may never know for sure but given the plausibility of the other rhymes explanations I'm inclined to accept for now.

[Bill Ryan]

This is very painful to watch, but I feel it absolutely belongs on this historical thread.

Copied from rgray222's post, commenting on Is War Ever Necessary or Justified?

~~~

World War 1 Soldiers with PTSD

[grapevine]

1970s Britain: Things British Kids Learned in School That Would Shock Parents Today

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=QOlIpy7IM5E

A bit of a twee but nevertheless enjoyable trip down memory lane. Until I watched this I had no idea that children today don’t have these lessons in this form any more, which is a great pity. Given the uncertainty of the current political climate worldwide, these skills are both necessary and vital.

[Mark (Star Mariner)]

My education was from the 70s-80s, so I can confirm all the above is true. Not all the conventions listed above were particularly wholesome or good. Top of the list and scarcely mentioned in the video was discipline. And by discipline, I mean corporal punishment - or teacher on pupil violence. I went to a regular state school (fortunately not an inner-city school, they were much worse), but I have stories that would give nightmares to the kids of today.

[grapevine]

Yes, you’d never go home and tell your parents you were in trouble at school either or you’d get a good hiding regardless of what happened.

I was at school during the sixties but it was very similar to the above video, although it seems that much of the footage was taken during exams as they seem very regimented and not at all like the Bash Street Kids that we would be for some teachers; some teachers but never the maths teacher, Mr Furnace, who used to swish his cane as he strode up and down the classroom between the aisles and struck terror into everyone. In some respects I’m glad those days are over.

. . . .

What I really miss is the Evening Classes that were available then. There was so much choice:

List compiled by chatgpt:
here is a UK-specific list of evening classes commonly offered in the 1960s, typically run by Local Education Authorities (LEAs) in secondary schools, technical colleges, and adult education centres.
This reflects what you would realistically see in a 1960s UK evening class prospectus.
________________________________________
Academic & Qualification Subjects
Often aimed at adults taking O-levels, A-levels, or general education.
• English Language
• English Literature
• Mathematics
• Arithmetic
• Algebra
• Geometry
• History (British History, European History)
• Geography
• General Science
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Economics
• Government & Civics
• O-level / A-level examination classes
________________________________________
Languages
Very popular due to post-war travel and trade.
• French
• German
• Spanish
• Italian
• Russian
• Latin (less common but still offered)
• English for Overseas Students
________________________________________
Commercial & Clerical Studies
A major route into office work.
• Typing
• Shorthand (Pitman)
• Shorthand (Gregg)
• Book-keeping
• Accountancy (Elementary / Intermediate)
• Business Studies
• Office Practice
• Commercial Correspondence
• Business Arithmetic
________________________________________
Technical & Trade Subjects
Usually held in technical schools or further education colleges.
• Carpentry & Joinery
• Plumbing
• Bricklaying
• Plastering
• Electrical Installation
• Motor Vehicle Mechanics
• Engineering Practice
• Machine Shop Work
• Welding
• Sheet Metal Work
• Engineering Drawing
• Technical Drawing
• Radio & Television Servicing
• Electronics (Basic / Intermediate)
________________________________________
Domestic & Homecraft Courses
Extremely common and often gender-segregated.
• Cookery
• Home Economics
• Dressmaking
• Tailoring
• Pattern Cutting
• Sewing
• Knitting
• Embroidery
• Millinery
• Cake Decorating
• Household Management
________________________________________
Arts, Crafts & Cultural Studies
Usually non-exam, leisure-focused courses.
• Drawing
• Painting (Oil & Watercolour)
• Life Drawing
• Sculpture
• Pottery / Ceramics
• Woodcarving
• Photography (including darkroom work)
• Calligraphy
• Music Appreciation
• Choir / Choral Singing
• Drama
• Elocution & Public Speaking
________________________________________
Physical Education & Social Activities
Held in school halls and gyms.
• Ballroom Dancing
• Sequence Dancing
• Folk Dancing
• Modern Dance
• Keep Fit
• Yoga (appearing in the late 1960s)
• Judo
• Fencing
• Badminton
• Table Tennis
________________________________________
Social, Civic & Personal Studies
Reflecting post-war welfare and community life.
• Child Care
• Mothercraft
• Psychology (Introductory)
• Sociology
• First Aid
• Home Nursing
• Community Studies
• Citizenship
• Trade Union Studies
________________________________________
New & Emerging Subjects (late 1960s UK)
Not everywhere, but increasingly available.
• Computer Programming (often FORTRAN or COBOL)
• Data Processing
• Basic Computing
• Electronics (Advanced)
• Graphic Design
• Industrial Design
________________________________________
Typical UK Evening Class Details (1960s)
• 1–2 evenings per week
• 7–9 pm
• Fees very low (often a few shillings)
• Classes ran September–April
• Many people attended after a full day’s work

And Youth Clubs. Rememnber those?