A sponsored travelogue written and produced by Wally (Walter?) Reeve about Hadrian’s Wall. The film begins with the history and development of the wall featuring local actors dressed as Romans. The film then travels the route of the wall from Wallsend via Newcastle westward to the Solway Firth stopping at various towns and villages along the route including Walbottle, Wall, Chollerford and Corbridge as well as Roman sites including Chesters and Housteads. The film also stops at Haltwhistle...

A sponsored travelogue written and produced by Wally (Walter?) Reeve about Hadrian’s Wall. The film begins with the history and development of the wall featuring local actors dressed as Romans. The film then travels the route of the wall from Wallsend via Newcastle westward to the Solway Firth stopping at various towns and villages along the route including Walbottle, Wall, Chollerford and Corbridge as well as Roman sites including Chesters and Housteads. The film also stops at Haltwhistle the location of the Hadrian paint factory of Smith and Walton Ltd believed to be the sponsors of this film. There are views of the annual carnival week in the town with marching bands and colourful decorative floats driving through the town. Passing into Cumbria the film visits Lanercost Priory built primarily of stone from the Wall before heading into Carlisle and onto Bowness on Solway where the film ends. NB: The reel begins with a short advertisement for ‘Hadrian’ and ‘Synflat’ paint presumably produced by Smith and Walton Ltd. The animated advertisement for paint shows a cartoon of a painter and decorator painting a question mark out of a rainbow of colours coming from his brush. Title: What’s the Secret of GOOD Painting The painter points to outline drawings of two cans, which then transform with colour and writing appearing on them. One becomes Hadrian Gloss Paint, the other ‘Synflat’ PVA Emulsion Paint. Title: In Association With Ashley United Industries Present Title: The Hadrian Country The lettering is superimposed on a picture of Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland as it snakes its way over moorland. Title: Written and Produced by Wally Reeve Title: For over 300 years the Roman Wall originally stretching from the mouth of the River Tyne to the Solway Firth has been regarded as a marvel of these islands and has become an object of pilgrimage for people throughout the civilised world. Built on the orders of the Emperor Hadrian over 1800 years ago a great part of it still remains as a monument to Roman thoroughness and tenacity of purpose. No short film could ever give a complete history of such a great undertaking, but if this film helps to stimulate an interest for more detailed knowledge of the Hadrian Country – then indeed it will have achieved its object. A view of carved stone head of Hadrian is accompanied by commentary. An animated map outlines Roman progress across Europe and other parts of the world. The maps show the location of Hadrian’s Wall in Northern England. The film moves to an animated view of the wall in cross section showing how the wall was constructed and areas near to the wall landscaped for effective defence. An artist’s impression shows how the wall would have looked at the time of Hadrian. The animation goes into detail about the materials used in the wall’s construction. Modern photographs of the wall help to clarify the process. This animated part of the film shows the position of forts and army barracks along parts of the wall. Diagrams show where milecastles were situated. An artist’s model shows the structure of a milecastle. Diagrams and illustrations show aspects of other structures along the wall. An actor in Roman uniform waits alongside the wall to meet another soldier. The film shows stones from the wall incised with a centurion’s mark, this denotes who was in charge of making that particular section of wall. An animated map shows where the Roman troops came from in Europe, to live and work on the wall. Actors playing Romans stand looking over the wall. Other actors take part in illustrating other aspects of life for the Romans in this remote part of Northern England. The commentary outlines that over time aspects of Roman culture were adopted by the native population. A crowd welcomes Romans soldiers on horseback bringing news from Rome. A litter is used to carry women with an aristocratic background. Another Roman reads out a proclamation. A group of Romans walk past some large stone columns, followed by a view of how the small square tiles or tesserae were used to create a mosaic. A view follows showing part of the Roman wall crossing moorland. A map shows the mouth of the Tyne and the location of Wallsend known at the time of Roman occupation as Segedunum. The film shows a view from the south bank of the Tyne looking across to Tynemouth and North Shields. A ship makes its way up the river, and the film shows the modern shipyards along its banks. The commentary outlines the history of the Roman wall at the mouth of the river. The film shows Jarrow and the monastery where the Venerable Bede lived. Views follow of Newcastle as the commentary continues its description of the route of the wall. The position of the famous Swing Bridge which links Gateshead and Newcastle was also the site of an earlier Roman bridge. The commentary states that many Roman relics were found in the vicinity of the bridge. A modern ship goes through the open Swing Bridge. The film heads west out of Newcastle and a view follows of a modern suburban road with a distinctive yellow Newcastle trolley bus travelling along its route. A view of a sign points to a Roman temple another sign points to Vallum Crossing these are archaeological sites at the site of Condercum a Roman Fort at Benwell in Newcastle. A metal sign reads ‘Condercum Roman Fort Vallum Causeway’. According to the commentary the fort in the third century was garrisoned by a cavalry unit from Spain. A view of Condercum shows a man inspecting the remains of the fort. Another view of a Newcastle suburban road follows as a trolley bus travels away from the camera. Remains of the wall at Benwell are featured next, they are close to a milecastle. A road passes through Walbottle, part of the road is built on the wall, a view follows of the heavy industry that dominates the village. The film moves on to Heddon-on-the-Wall, a road sign shows distances to nearby villages and towns; Corbridge just under 10 miles and Newcastle just over 7 miles. A view from the top of a hill shows the remains of the wall snaking off into the distance. At a road junction near a garage the film commentator points out that the very straight road heading off into the distance is known locally as the Military Road. Over the rise at Harlow Hill a village near the Military Road the modern road number is B6318, the film follows the course of the wall, a reservoir can be seen in the distance. Harlow Hill is the site of Milecastle 16. A view follows of a local sign for the Robin Hood pub. A view of a farmhouse follows which stands on the site of Milecastle 20. Not far from the Roman wall is Halton Castle built almost entirely from stone taken from the Roman wall, as was the adjoining church. In the graveyard is a Roman altar which stands upside down. The next place along the route is Porta Gate where there is a crossroads. A signpost shows directions to Corbridge, Jeburgh and Chollerford. Chollerford is the next main village along the B6318. The village stands on the banks of the River North Tyne. The film shows the ivy-covered George Hotel, the commentary states that there are a number of Roman wall remains to visit near the village. A view follows of Chollerford’s picturesque 18th century bridge over the river. A map shows the next destination, Corbridge. However, the next sign on the film directs you to a wall feature just south of Chollerford, which reads ‘Roman Wall Brunton Turret’. More views follow of the wall and the remains of Milestone 27. The next village which the film passes through is Wall, just south of the Brunton Turret. A view follows of the appropriately named Hadrian Hotel in Wall, followed by a view of the River North Tyne on its way to meet the South Tyne at Hexham. The film moves on to the old Roman station of Corstopitum now known as Corbridge. Views follow of the bridge at Corbridge with traffic crossing it, followed by views of the Roman remains of the original fort and town. Features which remain include a temple, a granary and the general water system. After leaving Corbridge the film follows the Roman road of Dere Street now part of the A68 to the Borders northwards. The film moves on to Chesters where a view of an information board tells visitors about the preserved Roman bridge abutment which can be seen opposite the Roman camp and fort. The film shows various views around the extensive Roman remains, including the remains of a barracks. According to the commentary the showpiece at Chesters is the bathhouse. Facilities included cold rooms, warm rooms and hot rooms. Hot water and warm air were circulated around the building. Leaving Chesters the film moves on to follow the wall as it runs alongside the road. The film shows an area where the Romans excavated the rock needed to make stones for the wall. Near Milecastle 31, a sign guides visitors to Mithraeum at Carrawburgh, a Roman temple dedicated to the god Mithras. A view follows of the road once again as the wall climbs into moorland. A farm cottage at Shield on the Wall contains many stones taken from the wall and stands near milecastle 33. A protective ditch can by seen along parts of the Roman wall. Where the route of the wall is obscured in the landscape lighter coloured vegetation indicates its location. An animated map shows the location of Housesteads Roman fort, a site of extensive excavations. The commentary describes the building remains at the site. A group of stones shows evidence of wear from chariot wheels. The commentary states that it is thought that standard railway track gauge derives from the measured width between the wheels of a Roman chariot. A model shows what Housesteads fort would have appeared in Roman times. General views follow of the fort site. A settlement grew outside the walls of the fort, a view of some remains has the sign ‘Shop’ next to it. From Housesteads the wall clings to its craggy route. At Windshields crag the wall reaches its highest point of over 1200 feet. Views follow of the remains of Milestone 42 one and a half miles west of Housesteads. A model shows how it may have looked when first built. The next destination is Haltwhistle, not far from milecastle 42. This was an important Roman station before the wall was built. A view of the towns Hadrian paintworks follows along with street names and other businesses whose names have Roman themes. The film goes on to show the annual Haltwhistle carnival week. A colourful affair with parades and marching bands. Lorries or floats advertise local organisations or businesses, one float promotes Hadrian’s paint. The film follows the wall’s route westwards, a road sign gives directions to Gilsland and Carlisle. An animated map shows the route as it heads further west. Birdoswald fort near Gilsland shows evidence of destruction and rebuilding. In this area of the western reaches of the wall, the film shows that its structure is in a high state of preservation. A sign guides visitors to Banks Turret, a stone turret designed to fit into a part of the wall originally built using turf. A brief view follows of Banks village. Other later relics which appear not far from the Roman wall in its western location include Lanercost Priory built with stones taken from the wall. An 18th century bridge spans the River Irthing, and a view follows of Naworth Castle the seat of the Earls of Carlisle. A map shows the village of Walton and at Castlesteads the film picks up the wall again and again at Newtown where a road covers the wall. At Irthington village there is the large church of St Kentigern. Little remains of the wall as the film travels towards Carlisle. Views show Carlisle’s large cathedral made of red sandstone and the imposing castle. The route moves north west following the River Eden. The film finishes as the final part of the wall is seen at Bowness on Solway. Title: The End