London’s Screen Archives enables Londoners see their past come alive on film. Managed by Film London, we are a unique network of historic film collections that cares for, collects and screens heritage film across the city. Together we preserve London’s rich film heritage from feature films to home movies, public information films, newsreels, and records of the capital’s many different industries.
This film is part of Free
Opening of Crystal Palace Track inc. 100 yards & Long Jump
On your marks, get set, go! Athletes grace the new running track at Crystal Palace with a series of thrilling athletics events and races.
From the collection of:
Overview
Warm-ups and a flurry of activity at the starting line open this sport-focussed film shot at Crystal Palace athletics stadium. Under the watchful eye of TV cameras and officials, athletes test the newly-laid Tartan track, possibly in preparation for the 1968 Mexico City Olympics which would be the first Games to use this surface for athletics. Incredible slow-motion footage of a race is followed by shots of runners wearing their blue team kit on a well-deserved break.
One of the featured sportsmen is Ron Jones, a Welsh track and field athlete who represented Great Britain at three consecutive Summer Olympics, with Mexico City 1968 being his last. This film is from the collection of Enfield Local Studies Library and Archive.
Related
Watch for free
Drill of the Kansas City Fire Department Drill of the Kansas City Fire Department
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins Silent Location: Crystal Palace
Incredible scenes at Crystal Palace highlight cutting edge firefighting 1900 style
Watch for free
RT Buses in SE London RT Buses in SE London
Industry sponsored film 1978 4 mins Silent Location: Crystal Palace
Take a trip down memory lane to a time when a fleet of the popular RT buses serves the capital and congestion is still a thing of the future.
Watch for free
Tartan Laying at Crystal Palace Tartan Laying at Crystal Palace
Amateur film 1967 4 mins Silent Location: Crystal Palace
Detailed recording of the many process involved in laying the Tartan track at the Crystal Palace Athletics Stadium ahead of the 1968 Olympics.
Watch for free
Racing at Brooklands Racing at Brooklands
Amateur film 1930 7 mins Silent Location: Brooklands
The Kings of Speed - 30s style - thrill the crowds at Brooklands - the world's first purpose built motor racing circuit
Watch for free
Greatest Football Game of 1911 Greatest Football Game of 1911
Sport 1911 0 mins Silent Location: Crystal Palace
It’s the 40th FA Cup final and Bradford City face Newcastle United.
Watch for free
Tall Ships at Erith Tall Ships at Erith
Amateur film 1975 5 mins Silent Location: Erith
Lose all sense of time as Tall ships, dinosaurs and Spitfires make for a temporally confusing trip through South London.
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.