YORKSHIRE AT THE MOVIES

With its location in the heart of England, Yorkshire’s scenic landscapes and vibrant culture have not only inspired countless artists but also served as a backdrop for many great movies.

The history of cinema in Yorkshire dates back to the late 19th century with the birth of motion-pictures. Indeed, some film historians claim that the very first moving images were actually shot in Leeds by a French inventor, Louis Le Prince. A number of independent production companies sprang up around the county to supply the growing demand for what were then silent movies. Bradford even became the Wild West as the popularity of Cowboy movies soared following early US imports. No discussion of Yorkshire film history would be complete without mention of Ernest Symmons. While the busy co-owner of the Picture Playhouse cinema in Beverley, he was also one of the region’s most prominent motion-picture pioneers.

The interwar period marked a golden age for Yorkshire cinema, with attendances reaching record heights. However, most of the major studios still remained firmly entrenched in the south, with London still the hub of the motion-picture industry. During that period, several Yorkshire born actors, such as Charles Laughton and James Mason, went on to become major Hollywood stars. Yorkshire, with its gritty industrial landscape, was perfect for a new genre of cinema in the late 1950s known as Kitchen Sink Dramas. Room at the Top (1959) and This Sporting Life (1963) are two of the best examples.

Throughout the 20th century, Yorkshire’s film industry boasted a roster of prolific filmmakers and memorable productions. Renowned directors such as Ken Loach, born in Warwickshire but strongly associated with Yorkshire, gained international acclaim for his socially conscious films set in the region, such as Kes (1969) and Black Jack (1979). Additionally, Yorkshire served as the backdrop for timeless classics such as The Railway Children (1970), filmed on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, and Brassed Off (1996), which celebrated the region’s rich mining heritage.

In recent decades, Yorkshire has continued to thrive as a hub for film production, with its vibrant cities and picturesque countryside attracting filmmakers from around the globe. From blockbuster hits like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010), which featured scenes filmed at Malham Cove, to powerful dramas such as Official Secrets (2019), partly shot in Leeds and Otley, the region’s cinematic legacy remains as vibrant as ever.