The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Tale of the Unexpected
An old artist discovers his animalistic instinct when he attempts a plein air sketch in Middlesbrough.
From the collection of:
Overview
A landscape artist has a brush with the wild beasts of his imagination when he picks a spot to sketch with a view of the Cleveland Hills. He turns his back on a modern 60s school in Middlesbrough (all those Mondrian squares) and looks to the natural world with an upbeat Fauvist flourish. There's a mildly unexpected twist ending to this cine club short by Betty Cook, filmed around Acklam Hall and the King's Manor and Hall Garth schools.
As President of the Cleveland Cine Club and the North East Cine Society, the amateur film-maker Betty Cook was immersed in local film production and made her own home movies from the 1960s through to the 1980s. The title of this film may be a nod to the ITV adaptations of Roald Dahl's 'Tales of the Unexpected', which aired on British television between 1979 and 1988. Betty Cook's star was Leonard Winter, a talented cine enthusiast himself, who made many 9.5mm movies between the 1930s and 70s. He moved north to Middlesbrough in the late 1940s and appeared in several Cleveland Cine Club productions, including a sinister film called The Glade (1975) also available on BFI Player.
Related
Watch for free
The Disabled and Work The Disabled and Work
Documentary 1981 32 mins Location: Middlesbrough
A film which shows the desire and dedication of those with disability to become integrated into the world of work.
Watch for free
Transporter Bridge, Town Hall and Albert Road, Acklam Hall, Cenotaph and Albert Park Transporter Bridge, Town Hall and Albert Road, Acklam Hall, Cenotaph and Albert Park
Home movie 1947 4 mins Silent Location: Acklam
The daily commotion of busy post-war Middlesbrough featuring a school with a remarkable past.
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.