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Belfast
1976
12 November 1976 (first transmission)
29min 50sec
sound
film
colour
BBC NI
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British poet and presenter, John Betjeman, takes a personal view of Belfast architecture.
John Betjeman was the Poet Laureate at the time he visited Belfast. He was not only a poet and broadcaster, but also an authority on architecture, especially Victorian buildings. He was one of the founders of the Victorian Society, an organisation devoted to championing and protecting Victorian and Edwardian buildings.
View of Belfast Harbour with singing by Richard Hayward. Louis MacNeice the Belfast poet is quoted. General views of city - aerial, City Hall, Malone, Harland & Wolff with Samson and Goliath cranes. Exterior and interior Sinclair Seamans Church - Presbyterian Church - nautical themes. Interior and exterior of another Presbyterian church on May Street. Minister is Rev Henry Cook. Shankill Road. St Matthews Woodvale. Church of Ireland. Clover leaf shaped church. Irish round tower in yellow brick. Spiral stairs mirrored on outside. Betjeman calls it a very Belfast church - unadorned Anglican. St Anne's Cathedral. Revolving door. Unusual lamp post outside. Pink sandstone walls and white/yellow bath stone columns. West end - mosaic in stained glass. East Extension. St Malachy's Roman Catholic church - cheerful gothic. Broader than long so that as many people can see the pulpit. Fan vaulted plaster ceiling. Crown Liquor Saloon. Exterior and interior. Compares to Arabian Nights. Close up of tiles. Snugs. Ormeau Road. Gas Office built 1893. Exterior and interior - brown tiles and mahogany. Chichester Park of Antrim Road. Ornate gold and brown lamp post - outside the Lord Mayor of Belfast house. City Hall. Compared to St Paul's Cathedral. East main entrance - Saucer domes. Back stairs. Built 1904. Designed by Sir Alfred Brumwold Thomas. Simplistic courtyard. Council Chamber. Green marble rotunda - all corridors lead to this. Mural showing the history of Belfast. Motto - 'For so much given what we can give in return.'
Film Cameramen – Rex Maidment, Pat Wood, Film Recordists – Mike Moore, Arthur Payne, Film Editor – Chris Wade, Producer – Ken Savage
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