Leeds films we love: from 1888 to 2023

Traffic Crossing Leeds Bridge (1888)

"Every time I walk over Leeds Bridge, I think of this film. I imagine a teetering cart piled high with bundled goods, hear an echo of rumbling hoof-beats and see ghostly people in swishing skirts and dark top hats. I wonder about them, these people at the heart of the Industrial Revolution. They saw Leeds in a coating of black dust and grey skies, a canal bustling with trade… Life couldn’t be more different now with buses, cars, traffic lights, and quiet waters…

It is eerie to see a pocket of your city in motion, stepping you back to 1888. It is only a few seconds long, but all the more rich for being true." - Katya, Venue Coordinator.

Bank of Dave (2023)

"Seeing a place you know being used as a different location in a film is equal parts strange and exciting. That’s how I felt watching Bank of Dave, where Leeds pub The Duck and Drake is used as their local Burnley boozer.

It’s funny to recognise somewhere familiar and, as the story is somewhat embellished from the true tale, it didn’t really matter that I knew they weren’t where the film is set.

I liked having some insider knowledge while watching the film. Even though I knew the location wasn’t really Burnley, I was still swept up in its underdog story." - Han, Venue Coordinator.

Poet Goes North (1968)

"'Non-conformist Leeds, sturdy and prickly against the sky.'

This BBC documentary follows Sir John Betjeman as he ambles around Leeds, casting judgement on our fair city. For reasons that no one quite understands, the film wasn’t aired after production and actually went missing for many years. The iteration I first experienced of it was a restored version, discovered in a cupboard in the offices of Leeds Civic Trust and restored by the Yorkshire Film Archive.

That screening, part of Leeds International Film Festival with a packed audience in Leeds Town Hall, was pretty special. Since then, in my programming capacity, I’ve shown it at the Picture House and in various other venues, including a church for Heritage Open Days. I have a simply terrific time with it each time I watch it because I just find it an endless amount of fun. I love Betjeman’s harsh judgement of our skyline, but also how it spills into social commentary, a criticism of profit at the expense of heritage amongst other things. It’s warm and insightful whilst also sharp and critical, like a teacher who wants us to do our best and knows a push might just get us there." - Wendy, Head of Cinema.

Secret Invasion (2023)

"Because it's Marvel and Leeds: two things that keep surprising me and make me curious every day." - Tanmay, Cinema Venue Coordinator.

Spice World (1997)

"At 11 years old, it was an absolute delight to hear an unashamedly Yorkshire twang booming out across the cinema along with some absolutely timeless tunes to sing along to! Girl Power!" - Sylvia, Young Audiences Officer.

Tyrannosaur (2011)

"As a lifelong devoted fan of the lovely city of Leeds, I even spent most of my university years in Norwich trying to convince my new friends to move up here, and they said I could work for the Leeds tourist board. So, it’s probably an odd choice to choose a film as bleak as Tyrannosaur, rather than one that celebrates it being the best city. However, the devastating, violent scenes filmed in Leeds in Paddy Considine’s film could sadly be in any city. Unfortunately, far too many people are dealing with the social issues in Tyrannosaur. Considine does an extraordinary job of making these scenarios feel all too real, and your heart will be completely pummelled by Olivia Colman’s phenomenal performance. It’s crazy to think that this was Considine’s first feature film. Rarely has violent rage and romance been this gutting without it feeling gratuitous.

A very heavy watch that will never leave you, but maybe it never should. Maybe you should always remember that a kind charity shop worker is probably going through a lot more than you could imagine, and remember to go through the world with as much kindness as possible to even just slightly counteract the darker side of people’s lives. But don’t worry, Leeds is full of that sort of kindness and is nowhere near as grey as the Leeds shots in this might make you believe!" - Martha, Digital Marketing Coordinator.

The works of Louis Le Prince at the dawn of cinema in the 1880s 

"Even though there seems to be a few places in the world that lay claim to the birth of cinema – Leeds is a solid contender, and I’m proud to live in a city that has undeniable ties to the earliest form of moving image." - Mosa, Creative Engagement Officer.

You can see the new 4K restoration of Billy Liar with us from Sat 22 Aug. Look out for scenes filmed in Leeds!