Why So Little Footage?
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Roger Wilco
- Posts: 34
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Why So Little Footage?
Considering the amount of interest and TV/press coverage of 4/1/67 and the emergence of personal cine cameras around that time - how come there is so little footage available of that fateful last run? I have only ever seen the 'classic' B&W footage which seems incredible for a World Record attempt. I believe that in the years immediately preceding the final attempt a camera was fitted above K7's cockpit - was this removed for aerodynamic reasons?
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sheppane
- Posts: 513
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- Location: Chiswick, West London and Penrith, Cumbria.
Re: Why So Little Footage?
There were 4 TV crews out on the eastern shore of the lake that morning, and 2 on a course boat. Starting from the south, on the eastern shoreline, you had Four Companies, filming in colour, about 1 km south of the southern end of the measured kilo. This was for the documentary, The Price of A Record
This is the film used subsequently used in Across the Lake, although the producers of that film flipped the footage to give the impression it was filmed from the western shoreline. All film of the crash should move from Right to Left for the first run, and Left to Right on the second.
Moving further up the lake, the BBC were filming from a course boat in the middle of the KM, close to the eastern shore. Just north of them were ITN and Redifusion filming from a position close to the northern marker on the shoreline. North of them, about 400m north of the northern end of the KM were Tyne Tees TV. All these crews filmed in black and white, with varying quality. Typically, the films from south and north of the km are better lit, and are better quality, albeit the boat is quite distant. The ITN, Redifusion and BBC are the classic B&W footage that is always shown.
That is the story of 5 of the film crews. The mystery is the Canadian Broadcasting Company footage, which was also shot in colour, from the launch used by the BBC. It, to the best of my knowledge, has never been seen. I have certainly never seen it, although like many, I believed the colour used in the drama doc Across The Lake must have been it, until I realised my error. (Don't let people tell you the colour film used in Across the Lake is this footage. It is not. That is the flipped Four Companies footage). Given the location CBC were stationed at, in the centre of the lake on a boat, that eliminates them as the source of this film. I can only assume that film must be spectacular, if it indeed does still exist.
As Mike said, there were a number of amateur film makers who captured the last two runs from the eastern shoreline, although given their distance from the subject, and the nature of their camera's, these films do not show any real detail of the boat and it's behaviour.
I hope that helps.
This is the film used subsequently used in Across the Lake, although the producers of that film flipped the footage to give the impression it was filmed from the western shoreline. All film of the crash should move from Right to Left for the first run, and Left to Right on the second.
Moving further up the lake, the BBC were filming from a course boat in the middle of the KM, close to the eastern shore. Just north of them were ITN and Redifusion filming from a position close to the northern marker on the shoreline. North of them, about 400m north of the northern end of the KM were Tyne Tees TV. All these crews filmed in black and white, with varying quality. Typically, the films from south and north of the km are better lit, and are better quality, albeit the boat is quite distant. The ITN, Redifusion and BBC are the classic B&W footage that is always shown.
That is the story of 5 of the film crews. The mystery is the Canadian Broadcasting Company footage, which was also shot in colour, from the launch used by the BBC. It, to the best of my knowledge, has never been seen. I have certainly never seen it, although like many, I believed the colour used in the drama doc Across The Lake must have been it, until I realised my error. (Don't let people tell you the colour film used in Across the Lake is this footage. It is not. That is the flipped Four Companies footage). Given the location CBC were stationed at, in the centre of the lake on a boat, that eliminates them as the source of this film. I can only assume that film must be spectacular, if it indeed does still exist.
As Mike said, there were a number of amateur film makers who captured the last two runs from the eastern shoreline, although given their distance from the subject, and the nature of their camera's, these films do not show any real detail of the boat and it's behaviour.
I hope that helps.
'When you go down into the arena, you know that sometimes, you're likely to get your nose punched. You do it with your eyes open. You take the risks'
Donald Campbell, Bluebird and The Final Record Attempt. https://www.facebook.com/bluebirdk7/
Donald Campbell, Bluebird and The Final Record Attempt. https://www.facebook.com/bluebirdk7/
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Renegadenemo
- Posts: 5176
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Re: Why So Little Footage?
I tell you what's more infuriating... There doesn't seem to be a single photograph in existence that shows exactly how that little box with the speedo inside was attached to the instrument panel. We've been on almost a fortnight trying to get it so it's faithful to all the available evidence but we still have unknowns. Wouldn't you think it would've been photographed to death!
I'm only a plumber from Cannock...
"As to reward, my profession is its own reward;" Sherlock Holmes.
'It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.' W.C. Fields.
"As to reward, my profession is its own reward;" Sherlock Holmes.
'It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.' W.C. Fields.
Re: Why So Little Footage?
Blue-Tac
Steve Holter, UK and France, and sometimes reality....................
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Renegadenemo
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Re: Why So Little Footage?
It was made of card and sticky tape at one point then Mike asked me to make it in tin so I measured the squishy card and tape affair best I could and made a tin one that didn't fit then somehow it was my fault... eh?
I'm only a plumber from Cannock...
"As to reward, my profession is its own reward;" Sherlock Holmes.
'It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.' W.C. Fields.
"As to reward, my profession is its own reward;" Sherlock Holmes.
'It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.' W.C. Fields.
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Renegadenemo
- Posts: 5176
- Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 12:29 pm
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Re: Why So Little Footage?
Erm, the bronze age here works in proper values and manufacturing anything from a Mike-vari-example is the first stage in eliminating his errorsNote the salient point there, i.e my little mock-up fit perfectly well until it was handed over to the Bronze Age there
I'm only a plumber from Cannock...
"As to reward, my profession is its own reward;" Sherlock Holmes.
'It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.' W.C. Fields.
"As to reward, my profession is its own reward;" Sherlock Holmes.
'It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.' W.C. Fields.
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captain sparkle
- Posts: 166
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- Location: Heysham
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Re: Why So Little Footage?
Quite a few films available on th CBC archive website, but nothing after Nov. '66.
Sorry can't link to a page with the search results on, so you'll have to type 'campbell bluebird' or similar into the 'search cbc archives' search box, (but you probably didn't need me to tell you that!)
https://archivesales.cbc.ca/content/sto ... tohomepage
Sorry can't link to a page with the search results on, so you'll have to type 'campbell bluebird' or similar into the 'search cbc archives' search box, (but you probably didn't need me to tell you that!)
https://archivesales.cbc.ca/content/sto ... tohomepage
TED WALSH AT SPEED ON CONISTON
Now over 3.1 Million hits on Youtube, subscribers needed! permanent positions available, please apply now!
Now over 3.1 Million hits on Youtube, subscribers needed! permanent positions available, please apply now!
Re: Why So Little Footage?
Maybe it was because everyone was told that there would be no runs that day. I heard that because we were going to leave.
Paul Allonby was told the same, thats why he wasn't there at the time of the runs.
Paul Allonby was told the same, thats why he wasn't there at the time of the runs.
Bluebird / Donald Campbell Video
Can anybody advise me if the "Campbell at Coniston" John Lomax DVD is a worthwhile purchase, please? It would appear that it is only available from the Ruskin Museum, which, for me, would necessitate a drive up to Coniston, as they don't sell these by mail order.
Also, is "Price Of A Record" and "How Long A Mile" available to buy? I have seen the youtube clip of "Price Of A Record" and it is great, but it is only a short segment of the film.
Any information would be gratefully received.
PS. I recently bought Leo Villa's Bluebird Album, and can strongly recommend it. Very good value too, at less than £20 for such a big book.
Regards,
James
Also, is "Price Of A Record" and "How Long A Mile" available to buy? I have seen the youtube clip of "Price Of A Record" and it is great, but it is only a short segment of the film.
Any information would be gratefully received.
PS. I recently bought Leo Villa's Bluebird Album, and can strongly recommend it. Very good value too, at less than £20 for such a big book.
Regards,
James
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jonwrightk7
- Posts: 376
- Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 8:53 pm
- Location: sandbach cheshire
Re: Why So Little Footage?
you and me too mike, you and me too!!! 
The world is full of Kings and Queens; who blind your eyes, then steal your dreams..