Both the film and the car industries developed in the early 20th century.
This programme shows rare footage of a Lanchester car going up a flight of steps at Crystal Palace, London. It was shot in 1904, just eight years after the Lumière brothers brought the first moving picture show to Britain.
Later footage shows how film-makers associated cars with sex appeal, sophistication and liberation. Cars were sold as vehicles that could literally take people to places they’d never seen before. Some films act almost as travelogues, showing cars in dramatic landscapes, travelling up hills, through streams and along spectacular coastal scenery. Films by Ford also show the detail, magnitude and might of mass production.
In the 1930s car manufacturers responded to public concerns about the number of deaths on the roads. Companies like Morris promoted the safety features in their cars. However, manufacturers were still keen to use speed as a key selling point.
First broadcast: Friday 14 Jan 2005 on BBC FOUR
Nation On Film in more depth:
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - About the series
Production team
This BBC/Open University series delves into Britain’s past to look at the country’s history as captured on film over the last 100 years. Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - About the series
Film and society
BBC
Fred Davies explores the interfaces between cinema, culture and history. Read more : Film and society
Behind the camera
Used with permission
When you use film as a historical source, explains Douglas Allen, you must first understand the person behind the camera. Read more : Behind the camera
Film Archives
Used with permission
A listing of British and Irish film archives Read more : Film Archives
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Shooting The War: A VE Day Special
BBC
A special edition of the BBC/OU series Nation on Film, Shooting the War, marks the 60th anniversary of VE Day. Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Shooting The War: A VE Day Special
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Flying With Cobham
BBC
‘Flying with Cobham’ is the story of one trail-blazing pilot in the 1920s and his mission to get the British public airborne, as part of... Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Flying With Cobham
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Kearton's Wildlife
Production team for David Attenborough, BFI for photo
'Kearton's Wildlife' looks at wildlife photography and film-making in the early 20th century, part of the BBC/OU's series Nation on Film. Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Kearton's Wildlife
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Package Holidays
Production team
Exploring the emergence of package holidays, as part of the BBC/OU's series Nation on Film. Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Package Holidays
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - The Ramsden Collection
BBC
‘The Ramsden Collection’ examines a newly-discovered collection of amateur films from Yorkshire, as part of the BBC/OU's series Nation on Film. Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - The Ramsden Collection
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Women's Football
Production team
'Women's Football' tells the story of how the rise and fall of women’s football was captured on film, part of the BBC/OU's series Nation on... Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Women's Football
First and second series of Nation On Film
BBC
Visit bbc.co.uk for full details of the first and second series, and a vast library of film footage for you explore. Read more : First and second series of Nation On Film
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