This film is part of Free
Manchester Street Scenes (1901)
A rare glimpse of early Edwardian Manchester when the horse-drawn tram still reigned supreme.
Overview
These scenes of Market Street, still Manchester's busiest shopping area, encapsulate the bustling energy of the city centre in the Edwardian era. 1901 saw the inauguration of the city's first electric tram route, which would soon replace the horse-drawn method depicted here. Showman A.D. Thomas is seen distributing tickets for the forthcoming travelling film show to pedestrians.
The film was included in a programme of films titled 'Life in Manchester' shown daily at St James’s Hall throughout the summer of 1901. It offers rich insights into various aspects of urban life, including the growing confidence of women, who are shown wandering freely around the city centre. The inclusion of the long-take of the Boer soldier and the blond-haired boy (probably the soldier's son) reflects contemporary public interest in the ongoing Anglo-Boer war, which was widely covered in contemporary media and in popular literature such as comics.
Related
Sheffield Street Accident (1902) Sheffield Street Accident (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 2 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
The aftermath of an accident on the streets of Edwardian Sheffield.
Whitehaven Street Scenes (c.1902) Whitehaven Street Scenes (c.1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 3 mins Silent Location: Whitehaven
Lively scenes in Edwardian Cumbria.
Buxton Skyline (1901) Buxton Skyline (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Buxton
A striking panorama of the Peak District town and its magnificent Georgian Crescent.
Scenes at Monument Bridge in Hull (1900) Scenes at Monument Bridge in Hull (1900)
Non-Fiction 1900 2 mins Silent Location: Kingston upon Hull
A melee of traffic, carts, trams, bicycles and people of all ages squeeze past the camera in Victorian Hull.
Scenes in Hull (1901) Scenes in Hull (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Kingston upon Hull
A street scene in Edwardian Hull is dominated by advertising for an event to celebrate returning soldiers from the Boer War.
Liverpool Street Scenes (1901) Liverpool Street Scenes (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 4 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
Traffic and pedestrians - including an early motor car - in Edwardian Liverpool.
Manchester's Welcome to the Imperial Yeomanry (1901) Manchester's Welcome to the Imperial Yeomanry (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 4 mins Silent Location: Manchester
A volunteer cavalry regiment is enthusiastically welcomed home after active service in South Africa.
Shuttered Windows Shuttered Windows
Charity appeal 1934 8 mins Location: Southport
Windows of opportunity: how a charity aimed to improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people.
Education of the Deaf Education of the Deaf
Documentary 1946 51 mins Location: Manchester
A brisk look at the tests and education practices for deaf people in 1940s
Heaven Opens Heaven Opens
Amateur film 1968 29 mins Location: Manchester
Faith in the inner city - the mission of the Sharon Full Gospel Church in Manchester.
Manchester Tickled Pink Manchester Tickled Pink
Amateur film 1993 2 mins Silent Location: Manchester
Manchester is 'Tickled Pink' with this annual celebration of LGBT life.
Apprentice Training Apprentice Training
Promotional 1958 13 mins Location: Manchester
Earning and learning, as an apprentice begins his working life.
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.
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.
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.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
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.
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.