Oxford on Film: From Attic to Archive

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In this series we seek to rediscover film footage of Oxford’s past and make it available for public viewing. How has Oxford changed? How has it remained the same? What important events have happened at Oxford University? Each episode in the series makes use of archive films to explore when, where and how the films were taken, and what they can tell us about the history of the University, the city of Dreaming Spires and the surrounding Oxfordshire countryside. The series will include films ranging from the 1920s to the present day, featuring life in Oxford before and during World War Two, life as a student at the University, visiting dignitaries, the evolution of the city centre and much more. The Oxford on Film series of videos is an output of the Dreaming Spools initiative. Dreaming Spools is a University of Oxford film archive project managed by Peter Robinson in the Educational Media Services team. The team are searching for lost film footage to bring old film footage out of the attics and into the archives and the wider local community. Many of the episodes are edited by local work experience students. More on the old Dreaming Spools blog: https://web.archive.org/web/20180226151245/http://blogs.it.ox.ac.uk/dreaming-spools/ This series started in 2014.

  1. DEC 10 · VIDEO

    The Magic of Oxford: Harry Potter and Hollywood

    This episode explores how Oxford becomes a spectacular film set, featuring Harry Potter filming in October 2000, historic costume dramas, and striking archive footage of the city transformed for the screen. In this engaging episode, we explore how Oxford is repeatedly transformed by the magic of film into a vast and vibrant movie set. Drawing on a rich mix of contemporary and archive footage, the programme shows Hollywood productions filming in the streets, colleges, and iconic buildings of Oxford and the University. Oxford has long attracted filmmakers seeking distinctive and memorable locations. A major focus is the filming of Harry Potter in October 2000, with celebrated locations including Christ Church (used as Hogwarts’ dining hall), the Bodleian Library’s Divinity School (Hogwarts’ infirmary), and New College Quad. The filming inside the Bodleian Divinity School took place continuously, 24 hours a day over a single weekend, and had to be completed by Monday morning to avoid disrupting the working week for students and staff. The scale of the production was striking: more than 70 vehicles connected to the film were crowded into the streets surrounding Broad Street and Radcliffe Square, demonstrating the logistical impact of a major Hollywood shoot in the heart of the city. The episode also delves into the archives to uncover colourful footage of earlier large-scale costume dramas. In 1999, Oxford was transformed into revolutionary France for the film Quills, and in 2001 the streets became a backdrop to the English Civil War during the filming of the historical drama To Kill a King. Throughout, crowds of costumed actors, elaborate sets, and extensive film-company equipment bring both history and fantasy vividly to life.

    3 min

  2. DEC 9 · VIDEO

    MayDay Punting – A Trip into Oxford on May Morning

    Oxford on May Day 2025 on a glorious sunny morning. Glide gently along the River Cherwell at dawn as a punt glides through misty meadows on the River Cherwell. Oxford awakens to May Day in 2025 on an unusually warm and golden morning. Drift gently along the River Cherwell at dawn as a punt glides through misty meadows beside Christ Church College, the city slowly revealing itself in soft light. The journey continues towards the heart of Oxford, arriving at the Botanic Gardens beneath the bridge by Magdalen College. Above, vast crowds have gathered as the bells fall silent and the Magdalen College Choir greets the rising sun from the tower. Calm, beauty, and celebration meet in this spellbinding river journey into one of Oxford’s most treasured May Morning traditions

    1 min

  3. DEC 3 · VIDEO

    Oxford Thames Regatta 1924: Archives of the Planet

    Step back to summer 1924 as Oxford crowds gather on college barges to watch the Thames Regatta—one of the earliest films of the city, captured for Albert Kahn’s visionary Archives of the Planet project. Experience Oxford in the summer of 1924 through one of the city’s earliest surviving films. Shot on 35mm by French filmmakers Roger Dumas and Camille Sauvageot, this remarkable footage captures the bustling crowds lining the Thames, cheering from the grand Oxford college barges as students race past in the heat of a perfect summer’s day. From May to July 1924, the filmmakers were commissioned by French philanthropist Albert Kahn for his groundbreaking Archives of the Planet project—an ambitious global effort begun in 1912 to document human life, cultures, and landscapes before they disappeared. Kahn’s extraordinary archive ultimately amassed 183,000 metres of film, 72,000 autochrome colour photographs, and 4,000 black-and-white images. This rare Oxford regatta footage survives today thanks to the Albert Kahn Collection and is shared here under their CC-BY-4.0 licence.

    3 min

  4. DEC 3 · VIDEO

    May Morning in Oxford: 1993 and 2025

    From 1993 to 2025, Oxford comes alive on May Morning! Choirs, dancing, and crowds under Magdalen College—see how this centuries-old tradition has changed… or stayed delightfully the same. Join us for a magical journey through Oxford’s May Morning celebrations, comparing archive footage from 1993 with scenes from 2025. On both perfect spring mornings, locals and students packed the streets beneath Magdalen College to hear the choir, dance, and enjoy music and merrymaking. Captured beautifully in 1993 by Charles Beesley for the University Media team, this film offers a glimpse into Oxford’s vibrant traditions across generations. Spot familiar faces, feel the festive spirit, and discover how this centuries-old celebration continues to enchant the city.

    3 min

  5. DEC 3 · VIDEO

    Foundations of the Future: Building the Bodleian Weston Library

    Step into 1937 Oxford! Watch Queen Mary break ground on the new Bodleian Weston Library, explore lost city streets, and meet the young archaeologist racing to save history. Step back to 1937 and witness the transformation of Oxford’s historic Broad Street as the iconic Bodleian Weston Library rises from the heart of the old city. In this episode, we explore the visionary design of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the disappearance of centuries-old houses, and the pioneering archaeological work led by a young Rupert Bruce-Mitford. Using rare archive footage, hear the story of the public groundbreaking ceremony by Queen Mary, and discover how this project helped shape modern urban rescue archaeology - techniques still in use today. Footage from March of Time. US National Archives 1937. Also footage from 'Oxford 1941' by the British Council.

    5 min

  6. 04/12/2024 · VIDEO

    Encaenia - Now and Then

    Archive footage of Oxford University's Encaenia ceremony Dive into the majestic tradition of Oxford University's Encaenia ceremony with this captivating compilation of archive film spanning decades of history. From the elegant procession captured in 1928 and 1937 to the vibrant celebrations of 2018, experience the grandeur of this unique event. The archival film shows the traditional procession through Oxford's streets and the ceremony itself within the Sheldonian Theatre. Be transported back to 1956 as rare colour 8mm film brings to life the momentous occasion when former US President Fred Truman was bestowed with an honorary Civil Law degree at Encaenia. And amidst the splendour of academia, revel in the atmosphere of the 1956 summer garden party at New College, where honorands, academics and locals mingle. Updated 9th December 2024.

    4 min

  7. 04/12/2024 · VIDEO

    Wartime Oxford - June 1943 and 1944

    Archive film of Oxford from June 1943 and June 1944 Embark on a journey through time with this third extraordinary compilation of Oxford wartime footage, offering a glimpse into Oxford's bustling shopping streets in June 1943 and June 1944. Witness the US army film footage showing the camaraderie of soldiers as they stroll along Cornmarket and High Street, the streets busy with shoppers, army vehicles and delivery vans. Then, immerse yourself in the unique 1944 tourist footage, captured on 16mm film by honeymooners, showing the Randolph Hotel and the High Street in the pivotal days around D-Day. This rare collection offers a poignant window into everyday Oxford life amidst the chaos of war, inviting you to experience the resilience and spirit of Oxford during one of its most pivotal moments. Updated 9th December 2024.

    2 min

  8. 04/12/2024 · VIDEO

    High Street - Now and Then

    Archive film footage of High Street, Oxford from 1937 and 1944. Step back in time and stroll down the iconic High Street of Oxford, where history unfolds before your eyes in this captivating compilation. Watch the 1937 film footage as students emerge triumphantly from the Examination School, their faces alight with the end of their finals. Then, fast forward to June 1944, where the bustling High street bears witness to the weight of history during the time of D-Day. In the video we juxtapose the past with the present, exploring the familiar landmarks of the High Street in 2024 with the older footage.

    2 min
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About

In this series we seek to rediscover film footage of Oxford’s past and make it available for public viewing. How has Oxford changed? How has it remained the same? What important events have happened at Oxford University? Each episode in the series makes use of archive films to explore when, where and how the films were taken, and what they can tell us about the history of the University, the city of Dreaming Spires and the surrounding Oxfordshire countryside. The series will include films ranging from the 1920s to the present day, featuring life in Oxford before and during World War Two, life as a student at the University, visiting dignitaries, the evolution of the city centre and much more. The Oxford on Film series of videos is an output of the Dreaming Spools initiative. Dreaming Spools is a University of Oxford film archive project managed by Peter Robinson in the Educational Media Services team. The team are searching for lost film footage to bring old film footage out of the attics and into the archives and the wider local community. Many of the episodes are edited by local work experience students. More on the old Dreaming Spools blog: https://web.archive.org/web/20180226151245/http://blogs.it.ox.ac.uk/dreaming-spools/ This series started in 2014.

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