Watch archive collections

Black British communities in the 20th century

Explore black culture, community and characters spanning over a century of British film and TV.

TV and cinema adverts from the past 100 years

See how many famous faces started their careers advertising chocolate bars or washing powder in this fascinating collection.

Films of daily life in Edwardian Britain

Learn more about what life was like in the town you grew up in by exploring our Britain on Film collection dating from 1895.

LGBT Britain

This colourful and challenging collection explores screen representations of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lives over the past century.

Keep Fit

Let’s get physical! With over a century of exercise on film, this collection offers some high intensity viewing.

Animals on Film

"Never work with animals or children," runs the old film industry saw. But British filmmakers have proven adept at both - and especially animals.

Football on Film

Football and film: two giants of 20th century spectacle. Born just a few years apart, film and the professional game have grown up together, as this fascinating collection shows.

Spotlight on Key Workers

A salute to the vital workers who keep our essential services running in bad times - and all the time.

Victorian Film

Queen Victoria's long reign famously saw extraordinary advances: in industry, transport, science, culture... But one vital innovation is too often missed: the moving image.