The South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA) is the regional film archive for the South West of England. Established in 1993, SWFTA's core collection comprises of the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and TSW (Television South West). The archive also cares for a significant number of donated film collections, both amateur and professional, dating back to the early 1900s.
This film is part of Free
Queen of the Isles
Excitement abounds as the Queen of the Isles sets sail.
From the collection of:
Overview
TV reporter Clive Gunnell is aboard the MV Queen of the Isles as daytrippers, holidaymakers and locals enjoy the journey from St Ives in Cornwall to St Mary's in the Scillies. They will have three hours to spend on St Mary's after arriving in Hugh Town. The Queen of the Isles operated at a loss and by 1967 was chartered as a day ferry by companies including the White Funnel Fleet operating out of Bristol.
Launched on 16 November 1964 in Bristol and built by Charles Hill and Son in 1964, the Queen of the Isles was intended to be run by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company as a ferry between Penzance and Scilly. The MV Scillonian was already in operation on this route. In April 1965 the MV Queen had a maiden voyage taking three hundred day passengers on an eighty-four mile round trip to the Isles of Scilly. The Queen of the Isles was eventually sold to Tonga in 1970.
Related
Watch for free
Hart's Ice Cream of St Ives Hart's Ice Cream of St Ives
Current affairs 1983 4 mins Location: St Ives
Tune down, turn off and scoop out as the famous outlet for ice cream closes its doors.
Watch for free
Rough Seas at St Ives Rough Seas at St Ives
1925 1 mins Silent Location: St Ives
The notoriously windy Cornish art and fishing town is hit upon by the sea
Watch for free
The Duchy of Cornwall The Duchy of Cornwall
Travelogue 1938 15 mins Location: St Ives
Rapid survey of early Cornish history, featuring its language, landscape and industries.
Watch for free
Cornwall Trip 1935 - Part 1 Cornwall Trip 1935 - Part 1
Amateur film 1935 12 mins Silent Location: Penzance
The open road: come along on a motoring trip around the West Country in this early holiday home movie
Watch for free
Scenes on the Cornish Riviera Scenes on the Cornish Riviera
Advert 1912 19 mins Silent Location: Plymouth
From Saltash to St Ives, a whirlwind tour of Edwardian Cornwall.
Watch for free
Beatniks of St Ives Beatniks of St Ives
News 1963 2 mins Silent Location: St Ives
Clive Gunnell wanders around St Ives and ponders the Bohemian lifestyle of the beatniks.
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.