Oldest ever film of Liverpool released

Aug 18 2007 by Staff Reporter, Liverpool Daily Post

Historical Liverpool

A FASCINATING collection of films showing Liverpool from the turn of the 20th century through to the Beatles era, has been released as the city celebrates its birthday year.

The North West Film Archive (NWFA) at Manchester Metropolitan University has commissioned a unique DVD of archive footage, starting in 1897 with the earliest moving images showing St George’s Hall, the River Mersey and horse-drawn trams on Lime Street.

Produced in partnership with Liverpool Record Office, the Culture Company and North West Vision and Media (NWVM), the DVD is narrated by Radio Merseyside’s Roger Phillips.

Alice Morrison, chief executive at NWVM, said: “Last year we awarded £50,000 towards regional film heritage projects such as Liverpool on Film, so it’s wonderful to see the results of that investment.”

The video also includes footage of the New World Wonder Tunnel, the construction of the city’s two cathedrals, and the viewer is treated to the sight enjoyed by huge crowds who said a fond farewell to Liverpool’s trams in 1957.

Alongside these gems, there are three colour films commissioned by Liverpool council in 1967 to promote the city around the world. Turn of the Tide, Liverpool Sounding and Rates for the Job reveal a Liverpool still at the height of its industrial dominance, while its cultural and artistic richness began reaching worldwide audiences.

Some of the images show the construction of the tower blocks, then a new urban phenomenon, workers busy at the Ford manufacturing plant in Halewood and emigrants heading out to a new life in Canada on the Cunard Line.

As Merseybeat started to take over the world, the films also show young people heading to record stores to pick up the latest Beatles records.

The DVD will be launched at a one-off big screen viewing at London Road’s Odeon cinema at 3pm on August 22.

It will be available at shops and visitor attractions from the same date, priced £9.99. In the meantime excerpts can now be viewed at www.dailypost.co.uk