Video Film Archive of Birmingham – British Pathé

Interested to know what the streets in Birmingham once looked like? British Pathé since the invention of the moving image in the 1890’s began to record every aspect of global culture and news for the cinema. The site contains over 3, 500 hours of filmed archives; a fabulous collection of historical events and a vast catalogue of changing social activity.

A quick search of Birmingham pulls out a number of film archives, there are so many fascinating and quirky films.  It gives you a real insight of how the city has changed over the years. You will see areas of Birmingham which haven’t changed much to other areas which have dramatically changed.

Film footage ranges from pageants, royal visits, football matches, city parades the list is endless. Here is a few clips to get you started: Birminghamin the air 1923, cities of Britain– Birmingham No.3 and hometown Birmingham.