While films such as Blue Is the Warmest Colour and Under the Skin have been among the most popular titles on BFI Player this year, the biggest viewer numbers come from the 70% of films that are free to watch. These date from the dawn of cinema to the present day, and have come from the BFI National Archive and regional archives across the UK.
From Edwardian street scenes to Gloucester’s answer to Evel Knievel, from turn-of-the-century trips around Saturn to psychedelic sci-fi from the 1970s, you’ve watched an incredible diversity of films. Here are some of the smash hits of 2014, all available to watch now, for free. At the end, we reveal the most popular film of all …
The most popular sci-fi film
A Message from Mars
Britain’s first full-length sci-fi feature, from 1913, is a reworking of A Christmas Carol and has been newly restored by the BFI National Archive and re-scored by Matthew Herbert and the New Radiophonic Workshop.
The most watched interview
Richard Lester on The Beatles and A Hard Day’s Night
Our Q&A with the cast of Sherlock came a very close second, but in the most watched interview, director Richard Lester discusses filming A Hard Day’s Night (1964) in conversation at BFI Southbank.
The most watched football match
Everton v Liverpool
Dozens of football matches from the turn of the 20th century are available on BFI Player now. In the most popular, the earliest surviving Merseyside derby on film catches two of Everton’s goals in a 3-1 home win in 1902.
The most watched special effects extravaganza
The Automatic Motorist
An early sci-fi film from 1911 by pioneer W.R. Booth proved to be a huge hit: a leisurely drive turns into an out-of-this-world adventure for a newlywed couple and their robot chauffeur.
The most watched amateur film
Visit to China
This astonishing film, shot by a travelling Swedish diplomat, offers up rare colour footage from a China enduring Japanese occupation. Among an array of treasures are the Forbidden City, the Marco Polo Bridge, and the Great Wall.
The most watched war film
From the Fighting Top of a Battleship in Action
In the year of the centenary of WWI, we launched a large collection of films from 1914. The most popular? These scenes of a battleship at gunnery practice, with fine shots of the guns firing.
The most watched street scene
Street Scenes in Halifax
Films capturing everyday street life by Edwardian filmmakers Mitchell & Kenyon are perennial favourites. Take a look at these views of busy, bustling Halifax in 1902, including a handsome, horse-drawn steam fire engine.
The most watched travelogue
Modern China
Extraordinary and rare views of life and landscape in Beijing during the late Qing dynasty.
The most watched cycling film
Cyclists’ Special
In the year the Tour de France came to the UK, dozens of cycling films were released on BFI Player. This popular hit is a comprehensive guide to bicycle touring around Britain from the great British Transport Films, made in 1956. Probably one of the first films to make reference to the terrifying cycling ‘bonk’…
The most watched film
Tram Ride from King Street to Patrick’s Bridge, Cork
Six of the 10 most popular films on BFI Player this year were tram rides through cities and towns taken over 100 years ago. Rides through Sheffield, Nottingham, Rochdale, Bradford and Sunderland were particularly successful, but topping them all was this electric tram ride through the centre of Cork in 1902.
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