Viewpoint Productions

We are adding more titles to our Video on Demand service powered by Vimeo, with more coming very soon! Scroll down for different sections…

The button at the end of each film description will take you to the VOD page for the title. Here you can watch the trailer, see a full description and choose to ‘Buy’ or ‘Rent’ a documentary film. All you need to do is open an account, (as with any streaming service) and after that you’re a few clicks away from watching films of your choice when you choose – just follow the on-screen prompts when they come up – It’s as easy as that!

Most of our documentary films are also available on DVD through the online shop on this site.

On Demand Titles…

LATEST TITLE:

RMS QUEEN MARY Regal & Retired

Running Time approximately 47 minutes

RMS Queen Mary was one of the largest and fastest passenger liners in the world when she entered service in 1936. During an ocean-going career that spanned 31 years the ship set umpteen records and made 1001 North Atlantic crossings. In the Second World War Queen Mary was converted to troop-carrier and carried nearly a million troops. In peacetime the ship was a favourite liner of royalty and the rich and famous yet carried immigrants from Europe on third-class one-way tickets to new lives in the USA. She is now the world’s last surviving 1930s superliner.

This is the story of one of the most significant ships in world maritime history: from building and maiden voyage through the war years, the post-war era and retirement as an attraction in the USA. The film includes original interviews and restored archive film to bring the story to life, and features the wonderful exterior and interior of the ship as she is today. This is a significantly extended version of a film made for broadcast for BBC Television which won the coveted Royal Television Society Award for Best Popular Factual Programme. 

Written and narrated by David Ellery.

For full description, trailer and to view on-demand go to VOD Page To purchase a DVD go to Online Shop 

 

PLACES IN THE PAST:

Southampton in the Past Volume Two

Running Time approximately 50 minutes

A second compilation of lovely archive footage featuring Southampton and surrounding areas, including Totton and the ‘Waterside’.

This second programme contains clips from the 1900s, 1920s, 30s, 50s and 60s – Lord Baden Powell’s personal appearance at the Boy Scouts’ Rally in 1912, news of the Titanic disaster the same year, coronation celebrations of HM Queen Elizabeth in 1953, plus Hythe, the famous pier and ferry in the 1920s. Stunning post-war footage of the ‘village’ of Totton as it began to develop, the last steam-hauled train on the Lymington-Brockenhurst branch line in the New Forest, strike-bound liners in 1966 and much more!

Narrated by David Ellery. Originally filmed in 4:3 format in black & white and colour.
For full description, trailer and view on-demand go to VOD Page To purchase DVD go to Online Shop 

Southampton in the Past Volume One

Running Time approximately 50 minutes

For full description, trailer and view on-demand go to VOD Page To purchase DVD go to Online Shop 

MARITIME:

Britain’s Last Paddle Steamers & the People Who Saved Them

Running Time approximately 55 minutes

A broadcast quality documentary film looking at the huge achievements of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, which has saved Britain’s last surviving paddle steamers. Features the UK’s key surviving paddlers, original interviews with people who helped shape Britain’s maritime history and compelling footage from the PSPS’s own extensive archive.

For full description, trailer and view on-demand go to VOD Page To purchase DVD go to Online Shop 

 Kingswear Castle – a voyage through her life

Running Time approximately 56 minutes.

The definitive story of Britain’s very last coal-fired paddle steamer… Beautifully restored Kingswear Castle now sails once again on her native River Dart in Devon, England. In this programme we trace the steamer’s history from the 1920s, through her years on the River Medway to the ship today. Join Chris Phillips and maritime historian Richard Clammer to see the steamer’s restoration through historic archive footage and meet some of the people key to bringing ‘KC’ back to life. 

For full description, trailer and view on-demand go to VOD Page To purchase DVD go to Online Shop

Waverley – Steaming Round Wight (2024)

Running time approximately 51 minutes. Updated and re-released for 2024

A voyage around the picturesque coastline of the Isle of Wight off the south of England aboard the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer. This broadcast quality documentary takes in spectacular landmarks like the Needles, Tennison Down, St Catherine’s Point, Osborne House as well as Yarmouth, Totland and Ryde piers, Shanklin Chine and the IOW Steam Railway, and many other points of interest. Recorded both aboard Waverley and ashore and featuring rare archive footage of paddlers of the past.

For full description, trailer and view on-demand go to VOD Page To purchase DVD go to Online Shop 

Waverley on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast

Running Time approximately 51 minutes.

In this broadcast quality programme we sail from Bournemouth along Dorset’s stunning Jurassic Coast. We pass ‘Old Harry Rocks’ and call at Swanage to meet actor and steamer enthusiast Timothy West. We then steam past Durlston Head, Dancing Ledge, St Alban’s Head, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door before arriving at Weymouth, where we discover the history of paddle steamer operations in the region with maritime historian Richard Clammer. Programme contains lovely colour archive footage of Paddle Steamer Consul and PS Embassy’s final day in service in 1966. Re-released and fully updated for 2021.

For full description, trailer and view on-demand go to VOD Page To purchase DVD go to Online Shop 

Waverley on London’s River

Running Time approximately 53 minutes.

Join Waverley, the world’s very last sea-going paddle steamer, for a voyage from Gravesend in the Thames Estuary, up river to the heart of the UK’s capital. The programme explores many Thames landmarks including the historic waterfront of Greenwich before the iconic moment of Tower Bridge opening for the ship to sail further into the Upper Pool of London. With the help of maritime historian Peter Box, we discover the history of passenger steamers on the Thames and through archive footage  see steamers of the past and Waverley on her first Thames visit in 1978!

For full description, trailer and view on-demand go to VOD Page To purchase DVD go to Online Shop 

Balmoral’s 60th Birthday: a celebration

Running Time approximately 38 minutes.

Balmoral is Britain’s most travelled excursion ship. In this broadcast quality programme we join the ship for a sailing around the Isle of Wight to celebrate the 60th anniversary of her launch at the Thornycroft yard, Southampton. As well as key interviews with passengers and former crew the film includes quality archive footage and rare views of the ship’s public rooms, engines and bridge. Balmoral is now based in Bristol and currently requires significant work; her future is far from certain, which makes this unique account of the ship at sea even more valuable.

For full description, trailer and view on-demand go to VOD Page To purchase DVD go to Online Shop 

HISTORY:

Wattisham – Both Sides of the Fence

Running Time approximately 98 minutes.

An RTS award-winning documentary…

Wattisham Air Station has a unique place in British aviation history. It was from here aircraft made the first bombing raid of the Second World War. It became a strategic base for the US Army Air Force in 1943 and played a vital role in the defence of the west during the Cold War era. Today, Wattisham is home to Britain’s Apache Attack Helicopter squadrons.

For full description, trailer and view on-demand go to VOD Page To purchase DVD go to Online Shop 

COLD WAR East Anglia – The Frontline

Running Time approximately 85 minutes including bonus feature

Broadcast quality documentary film with ‘Bonus’ feature, exploring the front line of the UK’s defence during the Cold War. Contains significant original interviews, contemporary views of historic Cold War infrastructure and fascinating archive footage. 

For full description, trailer and view on-demand go to VOD Page To purchase DVD go to Online Shop 

TRAVEL:

The Ultimate Challenge

SIX Episodes. Total Running Time approx. 156 minutes (each episode average length of 26-minutes).

Les Carvall and a group of friends, each in their 70s, take on the Ultimate Challenge of driving round the world in two 1328cc vehicles. In this 6-part broadcast-type series we see their preparations and the mammoth journey of nearly 19,000 land miles in 4 stages.  It’s an action-packed journey of a lifetime and compelling viewing for anyone with a taste for travel and adventure

For full description, trailer and view on demand go to VOD Page To purchase DVD go to Online Shop