BFI Releases Victoria Line Construction Films

Rachel Holdsworth
By Rachel Holdsworth Last edited 128 months ago
BFI Releases Victoria Line Construction Films

If you've ever wondered how the Victoria Line got built, the BFI is releasing a new volume in its British Transport Films Collection all about the 1960s project.

Experiment Under London is made up of six films: the titular introduction from 1961, outlining the proposals and experimental excavations, and five reports from various stages of construction including 'modern' tunnelling techniques, overcoming problems at Kings Cross and Oxford Circus, and an appearance by the Victoria Line's chief civil engineer. This clip shows work to construct a steel umbrella over Oxford Circus on August bank holiday weekend 1963.

Experiment Under London is released on 19 August and will cost £19.99.

Last Updated 11 July 2013