Watching: Borth-y-Gest: August 1952

Overview

Rowing on the estuary, driving onto the beach for a quick dash into the waves and making friends with the local felines - this wonderful record of a family seaside holiday in Borth-y-Gest, near Porthmadog on the edge of Snowdonia, has it all. Shot by prolific amateur filmmaker Harold Street, the abrupt ending and the placement of an end title card in the middle suggests this isn't his finished version - but the film nonetheless shows off a cinematic eye for framing and a sophisticated sense of narrative.