Menu
© 2026 The Couch Critic
Browse 75 movies from British Pathé
A documentary short celebrating the life of Louis Braille, his invention of the writing system named after him, and the legacy he has left behind.
Mar 1952
Various glamorous fashions are modeled by two "friends" including hat with large feather trim.
0
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh undertook an official visit to the region in February 1966, as documented in this film. The destinations on this month long excursion included: British Guiana; Trinidad and Tobago; Grenada; St. Vincent; Barbados; St. Lucia; Dominica; Montserrat; Antigua; St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla; Tortola (Virgin Islands); the Bahamas; Jamaica. This rich and detailed Technicolor travelogue was the only film authorised by the Palace. Strict instructions were given prior to the production being given the green light, most notably that the royals could only be filmed when ‘engaged in a public function’. Unlike the more relaxed footage or interviews you might see with the royals now the film is visually very official in tone.
Feb 1966
The complex relationship between royal brothers Edward VIII and George VI, who were both at the heart of the infamous abdication crisis of 1936, is the subject of this excellent documentary. From British Pathé TV's Royalty Collection.
May 2012
The airship Hindenburg, arriving from Europe, was being led to its mooring at Lakehurst, New Jersey when suddenly disaster struck. The hydrogen-filled zeppelin ignited, and was almost instantly transformed into an enormous fireball. In less than a minute, the entire ship had been consumed by flames. The Hindenburg explosion marked the end of the budding airship travel industry.
Dec 1937
A suffragette demonstration led by Sylvia Pankhurst ends in chaos as police prevent a march on Downing Street.
Oct 1913
An account of the state visit to Britain by the President of India, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, in June 1963. In London he accompanied the Queen on a State drive, visited the Commonwealth Institute, attended a Guildhall luncheon and visited the country.
Jun 1963
A little travelogue feature presenting Torbay - new resort along the 20 mile stretch of South Devon coast.
Aug 1968
How to prepare the perfect picnic for the warm days that you spent outside. Learn here how to make your side dishes look and taste amazing.
Jul 1935
Little film showing a few tips on how to present food graciously. The famous husband and wife cooking team, Fanny and John Cradock, are showing some of the ways to serve savouries. The presentation of the food is as important as the food itself.
Feb 1957
Pathé visits the hairdressers in Wokingham, Berkshire an establishment owned by Alec Pountney
Jan 1962
The President had been due to visit twice before, but on both occasions the trip had to be cancelled. The first time was in 1963, the same year as the Commonwealth visit by the President of India. The second cancellation occurred in 1965 when a longstanding dispute between India and Pakistan over the sovereignty of Kashmir boiled over into full-scale war in September of that year. However, as one might expect from a film made for international diplomacy purposes no reference is made to ongoing political problems either at home or abroad. Like the Indian presidential visit of 1963, the film was for screening to domestic audiences (both in the UK and in Pakistan) whose main interest would be in the pomp and ceremony of the visit, and the reception and status afforded to the President by the Queen and royal family.
Nov 1966
Watching Sierra Leone Greets the Queen gives one a flavour of the hectic nature of royal tours; in just one week (from the 25th November to the 1st December 1961) the Queen and Prince Philip covered an exhausting array of sights, zooming around the country to take in the capital city Freetown, Bo, the Guma Dam, digging for diamonds (Sierra Leone’s biggest export), Hangha and observing the iron ore works at Marampa. The visit was politically significant - Sierra Leona had become independent from Britain in April the same year. Colonialism’s influence is felt throughout the film, and not just in the place names (Victoria Park, Queen Elizabeth II Quay) - the ‘day in the life of a Bo schoolboy’ seems not radically different from the British equivalent, while the ‘children’s rally’ consists of boys dressed impractically in boaters and blazers, and girls marching in gymslips.
Hats are modelled, then lingerie.
Jan 1915
A Camera Interview with the famous French painter - Gustave Brisgand.
Nov 1930
Aerial views of the Liner ship 'Normandie' at sea. Quick shot of the ships bridge. Shot of the ship's captain. Shot of clay pigeon shooting off side of ship. Shots of swimming pool. Various shots of the decoration around the interior of the ship - including the Chapel, indoor swimming pool, kitchen, dining room.
Peter Alexander, interviewed in Sydney, born and brought up as Mavis Higgins in New Zealand, speaks of his sex change from female to male. He discusses the aspects of his personality when younger which influenced his decision, his view of women in society and his plans for the future. Although Peter talks about shaving it is not clear if any medical intervention had assisted his sex change. The predominant voice in this clip is that of Alexander, dressed in jacket and tie, talking cheerily about his interest in sport, his awareness that his "male side and personality" were always dominant, his desire to marry and continue with his musical career. The story was sensationalised in the tabloid newspaper of the day "The Truth".
Jan 1937
Documentary warning of the "menacing shadow" of the atomic bomb.
Jul 1946
Various shots of the Coronation procession for King George V.
Jun 1911
Wembley Stadium, London. Widnes beat Hull Kingston Rovers 13-5 in the Rugby League Cup Final.
May 1964