Screen Archive South East is a public sector moving image archive serving the South East of England. The archive's collections of magic lantern slides, films, videos and associated materials capture the many varied aspects of life, work and creativity from the early days of screen history to the present day and serve as a rich and invaluable historical resource.
This film is part of Free
Life in Miniature
Budding film director Anthony Armstrong, aged 10, presents a delightful film about things on a smaller scale like locomotives, trams and the tiny town of Bekonscot.
From the collection of:
Overview
Anthony Armstrong's imaginative film starts and ends with animated titles followed by sequences showing smaller scale versions of their larger counterparts. A bonny baby is followed by a miniature fairground with fully working models. At Romney East station we see a small gauge locomotive carrying its large passengers. Then we're gliding along on the half-sized trams of the Eastbourne Electric Tramway. The final sequence shows the famous model village of Bekonscot.
Anthony Armstrong was taught how to make films by his mother, Beryl, who is also a prolific film-maker and author in her own right. Like his mum, Anthony and his brother Richard made a great number of short documentaries, animated films and comedies. Following in his mother's footsteps, Anthony's film, 'Life in Miniature' was amongst the ten best films of 1970 in an amateur film-makers competition.
Related
Watch for free
Green Grow the Rushes Green Grow the Rushes
Comedy 1951 78 mins Location: New Romney
Brandy-smuggling locals resist government interference in this Ealing-esque comedy, filmed on Romney Marsh
Watch for free
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Watch for free
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Watch for free
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Watch for free
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.