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Documentary / Making Of
How they climbed the Old Man of Hoy
John Gray (1967)
A making of the live broadcast of the ascent of the Old Man of Hoy. In July of 1967, 15 million people watched one of the most audacious BBC outside broadcasts ever undertaken - the climbing of the 'Old Man of Hoy'. This is an account of how the BBC-1 television programme was organised, together with recordings made during the broadcast, and interviews with those who helped to make it possible as well as those who did the actual climb.How they climbed the Old Man of Hoy
- 1967
- UK
- 25 min
A making of the live broadcast of the ascent of the Old Man of Hoy. In July of 1967, 15 million people watched one of the most audacious BBC outside broadcasts ever undertaken - the climbing of the 'Old Man of Hoy'. This is an account of how the BBC-1 television programme was organised, together with recordings made during the broadcast, and interviews with those who helped to make it possible as well as those who did the actual climb.Climbing locations
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Documentary / Historical
Great Explorations
Alison Francis (2017)
BBC News has been given exclusive access to a priceless archive of important footage taken by young adventurers exploring parts of the world that were completely new to western eyes. These remarkable films, from the frozen mountains in the Himalayas to the searing Libyan Desert, have not seen the light of day for nearly a hundred years. As well as helping historians learn more about the past they are also giving scientists new insights into the future of our planet.- 2017
- UK
- 25 min
BBC News has been given exclusive access to a priceless archive of important footage taken by young adventurers exploring parts of the world that were completely new to western eyes. These remarkable films, from the frozen mountains in the Himalayas to the searing Libyan Desert, have not seen the light of day for nearly a hundred years. As well as helping historians learn more about the past they are also giving scientists new insights into the future of our planet.Climbing locations
Availability
Watch Free -
Documentary / Portrait
Joe a profile of a mountaineer
Stanley Williamson (1968)
Portrait of British mountaineer Joe Brown, who demonstrates his climbing technique and discusses his philosophy of climbing. The film was shot in and around Llanberis, where he lives, and on the cliffs of South Stack Lighthouse in Anglesey. Brown is regarded as the outstanding pioneering English rock climber of the 1950s and early 1960s. He established an unprecedented number of classic new routes in Snowdonia and the Peak District that were at the leading edge of the hardest grades. He made the first ascent of Kangchenjunga in 1955 and and other big achievements in the Alps and Himalayas.Joe a profile of a mountaineer
- 1968
- UK
Portrait of British mountaineer Joe Brown, who demonstrates his climbing technique and discusses his philosophy of climbing. The film was shot in and around Llanberis, where he lives, and on the cliffs of South Stack Lighthouse in Anglesey. Brown is regarded as the outstanding pioneering English rock climber of the 1950s and early 1960s. He established an unprecedented number of classic new routes in Snowdonia and the Peak District that were at the leading edge of the hardest grades. He made the first ascent of Kangchenjunga in 1955 and and other big achievements in the Alps and Himalayas.Climbing locations
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Documentary / Historical
Mountains for the masses
Geraint Rees (1973)
Mountains for the masses is a documentary about rock climbing that takes place in Clogwyn Du'r Arddu. It was directed by Geraint Rees in 1973 and produced by HTV. It is a part of the series Climb when you are ready! (3/3). It features Wynford Vaughan-Thomas and Joe Brown.- 1973
- UK
- 25 min
Mountains for the masses is a documentary about rock climbing that takes place in Clogwyn Du'r Arddu. It was directed by Geraint Rees in 1973 and produced by HTV. It is a part of the series Climb when you are ready! (3/3). It features Wynford Vaughan-Thomas and Joe Brown.Climbing locations
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Documentary / Chronicle
Upside down Wales
Alun Hughes (2008)
George Smith, upside-down guru and arch obsessive, leads us on a remarkable journey into his wonderful world -- a journey with attitude and character. Like salad after chips.Alun Hughes, George Smith, Ray Saunders
- 2008
- UK
- 48 min
George Smith, upside-down guru and arch obsessive, leads us on a remarkable journey into his wonderful world -- a journey with attitude and character. Like salad after chips.Climbing locations
Availability
Watch Free DVD / BLU-RAY -
Documentary / Historical
Johnny Dawes & The story of Indian Face
Alun Hughes (2006)
Johnny Dawes & The story of Indian Face is a documentary about rock climbing that takes place in Clogwyn Du'r Arddu. It was directed by Alun Hughes in 2006 and produced by Hughes Film. It features Johnny Dawes, Joe Brown, Nick Dixon and John Redhead.Johnny Dawes & The story of Indian Face
- 2006
- UK
- 32 min
Johnny Dawes & The story of Indian Face is a documentary about rock climbing that takes place in Clogwyn Du'r Arddu. It was directed by Alun Hughes in 2006 and produced by Hughes Film. It features Johnny Dawes, Joe Brown, Nick Dixon and John Redhead.Climbing locations
Availability
Watch Free DVD / BLU-RAY -
Documentary / Chronicle
Best forgotten art
Johnny Dawes (1996)
Best forgotten art is a documentary about rock climbing that takes place in Millstone Edge and Back Bowden Doors. It was directed by Johnny Dawes in 1996. It features Johnny Dawes, John Allen, Joe Brown, Johnny Woodward, Boone Speed, Chris Plant and others.- 1996
- UK
- 46 min
Best forgotten art is a documentary about rock climbing that takes place in Millstone Edge and Back Bowden Doors. It was directed by Johnny Dawes in 1996. It features Johnny Dawes, John Allen, Joe Brown, Johnny Woodward, Boone Speed, Chris Plant and others.Climbing locations
Availability
DVD / BLU-RAY -
Documentary / Live Broadcast
Vector
(1967)
In the summer of 1967, TWW, the predecessor of Harlech TV (today ITV Wales & West), stage a live climbing broadcast with Joe Brown leading Julie Collins, an unknown blonde PE student, up to Vector Buttress in Craig Bwlch y Moch, North Wales. Bad weather made the live broadcast unfeasible on the day it was scheduled, so what was seen on television, though appearing live, was actually pre-recorded the previous day.
- 1967
- UK
In the summer of 1967, TWW, the predecessor of Harlech TV (today ITV Wales & West), stage a live climbing broadcast with Joe Brown leading Julie Collins, an unknown blonde PE student, up to Vector Buttress in Craig Bwlch y Moch, North Wales. Bad weather made the live broadcast unfeasible on the day it was scheduled, so what was seen on television, though appearing live, was actually pre-recorded the previous day.Climbing locations
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Documentary / Historical
The games climbers play...
Richard Else (1992)
Fifht episode of 'The climbers', a six-part series on the history of mountaineering by Chris Bonington and Richard Else produced by the BBC. This episode contrasts the traditions of climbers in Britain and on the continent of Europe, the former developing a technique of free climbing and the latter employing aids such as spanners, bolts and drills to climb routes that would otherwise be inaccessible. The program includes old footage of the 1946 film by Alain Pol 'L'appel des cimes' and of a young Joe Brown climbing in Snowdonia in 1957 in a program of the BBC 'Eye to eye' series.- 1992
- UK
- 30 min
Fifht episode of 'The climbers', a six-part series on the history of mountaineering by Chris Bonington and Richard Else produced by the BBC. This episode contrasts the traditions of climbers in Britain and on the continent of Europe, the former developing a technique of free climbing and the latter employing aids such as spanners, bolts and drills to climb routes that would otherwise be inaccessible. The program includes old footage of the 1946 film by Alain Pol 'L'appel des cimes' and of a young Joe Brown climbing in Snowdonia in 1957 in a program of the BBC 'Eye to eye' series.Climbing locations
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Documentary / Chronicle
The ascent of Kangchenjunga
(1955)
Film of the 1955 British expedition to Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak, led by Charles Evans. The first ascent of Kangchenjunga was made on 25th May 1955 when Joe Brown and George Band stopped just short of the summit, a promise they had made to the Nepalese authorities in respect of local beliefs that it is a sacred place. Norman Hardie and Tony Streather summited the following day. At this time, Kangchenjunga was the world’s highest unclimbed peak.
- 1955
- UK
Film of the 1955 British expedition to Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak, led by Charles Evans. The first ascent of Kangchenjunga was made on 25th May 1955 when Joe Brown and George Band stopped just short of the summit, a promise they had made to the Nepalese authorities in respect of local beliefs that it is a sacred place. Norman Hardie and Tony Streather summited the following day. At this time, Kangchenjunga was the world’s highest unclimbed peak.Climbing locations
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Documentary / Live Broadcast
The Anglesey climb
Philip Gilbert (1970)
In August 1970 a spectacular rock climb was televised live on BBC in color. Seven climbers attempted three different routes on the cliffs of Anglesey. The event, presented by Christopher Brasher was transmitted live through 4 connections over the course of 31st of august. The routes climbed were: Spider's Web, by Joe Brown and Ian McNaught-Davis; Wen Slab, by Peter Crew and Don Whillans; and Tyrannosaurus Rex, by Laurie and Les Holliwell, and Janet Rogers. This was the first color live climbing program on BBC, following on from the success of earlier programs such as the ascent of the Old Man of Hoy in 1967.- 1970
- UK
- 40 min
In August 1970 a spectacular rock climb was televised live on BBC in color. Seven climbers attempted three different routes on the cliffs of Anglesey. The event, presented by Christopher Brasher was transmitted live through 4 connections over the course of 31st of august. The routes climbed were: Spider's Web, by Joe Brown and Ian McNaught-Davis; Wen Slab, by Peter Crew and Don Whillans; and Tyrannosaurus Rex, by Laurie and Les Holliwell, and Janet Rogers. This was the first color live climbing program on BBC, following on from the success of earlier programs such as the ascent of the Old Man of Hoy in 1967.Climbing locations
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Documentary / Chronicle
Climbing
Stanley Williamson (1957)
Documentary featuring some of Britain's leading rock climbers demonstrating their skills on different British rock climbing locations. In the Lake District, the 71-year-old Rusty Westmorland and Monica Jackson climb Napes Needle. In Idwal, Gwen Moffat, the first woman mountain guide in Britain, leads a climb on the Idwal Slabs, seconded by her husband Johnnie Lees. At Windgather Rocks, Geoff Sutton and Gordon Mansell teach a group of novices some basic climbing techniques. The documentary also includes reflections on mountaineering and climbing by George Abraham, Geoffrey Winthrop Young, George Band and Joe Brown. The film ends with shots of Brown leading Suicide Wall at Idwal.- 1957
- UK
- 29 min
Documentary featuring some of Britain's leading rock climbers demonstrating their skills on different British rock climbing locations. In the Lake District, the 71-year-old Rusty Westmorland and Monica Jackson climb Napes Needle. In Idwal, Gwen Moffat, the first woman mountain guide in Britain, leads a climb on the Idwal Slabs, seconded by her husband Johnnie Lees. At Windgather Rocks, Geoff Sutton and Gordon Mansell teach a group of novices some basic climbing techniques. The documentary also includes reflections on mountaineering and climbing by George Abraham, Geoffrey Winthrop Young, George Band and Joe Brown. The film ends with shots of Brown leading Suicide Wall at Idwal.Climbing locations
