BTF in the 1960′s

The Travolators, 1961 for BTF

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This a short, nine minute film to commemorate the construction of the Travolator between the Bank and Waterloo stations in London to supplement the long walk required of City commuters and nicknamed The Drain. The otherwise exemplary box of DVDs, The British Transport Film Collection does not identify any credits. For the only time...
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Blue Pullman, 1960 for BTF

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Blue Pullman, 1960 was directed and written by Jimmie Ritchie and photographed by David Watkin and Jack West. It was edited by Hugh Raggett with music by Clifton Parker. The film was shot in colour and lasts almost 23 minutes, exploring the intensive testing of the new 90mph diesel-electric Midland Pullman, and its maiden...
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Working at British Transport Films

David Watkin

The career of David Watkin revealed through photographic glimpses… British Transport Films Alan working at 25 Saville Row, 1955 Alan and Tom in the Post Office Yard, Waterloo, 1956 BTF crew: Baxter, Richie and Williams England’s North Country BTF crew: Robertson and Richie
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BTF by Barry Coward

Fifties Underground

Born into an illustrious railway family, David Watkin began work with the Southern Region Film Unit of British Railways in the late 1940′s. In 1950 he became a messenger boy and assistant cameraman at British Transport Films. Barry Coward writes: One day in 1981 I received a phone call from a David Watkin asking...
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Welcome

We welcome you to the David Watkin website that celebrates the work and life of that remarkable cinematographer. We trace his contributions to documentary, commercial and feature film-making, relating his achievements and innovations to the very character of the man, complex and perverse, innocent yet knowing at the same time. He wore his learning lightly but with much seriousness.

Find out what it was to work with David Watkin on sound stage and beyond, to keep him supplied with jokes, food, music, books, pictures and all sorts of other intriguing information. Read within the memories of friends, critics, colleagues and other amused observers.

We invite you to add your own impressions to our interactive database.

Invitation to Contribute…

The website was initiated as a response to the hundreds of friends of David Watkin who wished to contribute to an archive of memories of this remarkable man. The editors are the designer Rachael Adams and the historian Chris Mullen who were in contact with him in Brighton on a weekly, often daily, basis.

Copyright of the words and images to be found here is held by the editors from their personal collection, and by contributing friends and colleagues who have answered the appeal.

DW’s Autobiographies

Sadly, the remaining stock of the two volumes of David Watkin's autobiography has been destroyed.

However limited numbers remain, which will become available for sale shortly.