Movies on Belsize Park
Belsize architecture, history and people
Narrated by Fiona Bruce
A feature-length movie in two episodes Volume 1: Central Belsize, and Volume 2: Greater Belsize – both available to stream free
Combining its fascinating historical background with a present-day architectural tour, The Belsize Story records the evolution of Belsize Park, which instinctively followed the old footpaths and original curves of the hills that overlooked fine views of the old City of London.
"Congratulations on making a highly professional film. This was a mammoth undertaking with a huge amount of research. The archive material, the interviews, the imagery, the narration – have all combined to make compelling viewing. Your expertise in architecture has shone through.
The story is fascinating, and my attention was held even though I do not know this area of London very well."
– Royal Photographic Society MMN panel member
Further film reviews
The Conservation Areas of central and greater Belsize are captured in high definition, taking care to include plenty of close-up architectural details as well as recording conversations with local residents and other contributors.
"My congratulations for a film which has impressed everyone I have shown it to here at English Heritage."
– Professor Andrew Saint
The films are directed and photographed by the award-winning film maker David S Percy who lived as a child in Manor Mansions, on the corner of Belsize Grove and Belsize Park Gardens.
"What a tour de force – a splendid film . . . a masterpiece!"
– Marcus Ferrar, Oxford
Review by Dan Carrier Camden New Journal – 22 March 2012
The history of Belsize Park is laid bare in a simply fascinating documentary by long-term resident, David Percy. The Belsize Story: Volume One, narrated by TV presenter Fiona Bruce, is being screened next week at St Stephen’s Church.
David Percy, who grew up in Belsize Park, tells me he was inspired by the fact that the streets of his home patch have every slice of London architectural history on show, and can he seen as a microcosm to consider the gradual development of north London.
The film brings us through the development of the area and the stories of the people who lived in the houses. With Georgian and Victorian homes, Edwardian terracotta Arts and Crafts-style terraces, 1930 villas and Modernist glass and steel structures, Belsize will get the Pevsner inside you drooling.
But, as the film highlights, it is also packed with characters and tales that you would not tribute to the now-respectable streets of the neighbourhood. I am thinking particularly of the raucous goings on at the pleasure gardens, which were deemed so sinful they were frequently closed down, only for fun-loving Park dwellers to get the party started again when the beak's backs were turned.
Fiona Bruce narrates award-winning director's film
The Belsize Story
by Josh Pettitt, Ham&High Reporter, 2012
After years of research, countless hours of editing and a close shave with a moped mugger, an award-winning film-maker is set to bring Belsize to the silver screen.
David S Percy has pored over more than 1,000 still images of Belsize Park, which dates back to Tudor times, as part of a three-year project to chronicle the transformation of the area. The landscape has changed from a once-great estate with extensive grounds to a variety of architectural developments.
The Belsize Story – narrated by BBC presenter Fiona Bruce – will premiere at the recently renovated St Stephen’s Church in Pond Street, Hampstead, on March 27 2012.
Mr Percy, 70, joked that the film “almost killed me” after years of work on the project and being thrown into the path of oncoming traffic as thieves on a motorbike made off with his camera in Lyndhurst Gardens.
The semi-retired film-maker was interviewing a prominent local resident in 2010 when a motorcyclist and his passenger attacked him. “I was knocked into the road and they took my large movie camera – tripod and all.
"Although it was very heavy they rode off with the tripod fully extended,” said Mr Percy who has been making films since the age of 12. “It’s a real labour of love and, if you like, it’s my gift to Belsize. I thought I should give something back and make this movie.
“My intention was to create this visual record which brings together all of the research which has been done in the past. “These days people tend to watch television more than reading books and this tells the story of Belsize in an enjoyable and relaxing way.
Humour
“Fiona has also done a brilliant job. She has such a great voice and her pronunciation is perfect. “She brings life, a sense of humour and a bit of light-heartedness to the film.”
Mr Percy grew up in Belsize Grove and attended St Christopher’s School in Belsize Lane as a child. His house in Belsize Avenue, the former private carriageway to the estate, is marked by a distinctive slouching mulberry tree which is thought to be a boundary line for Belsize House – once home to 19th century Prime Minister Spencer Perceval.
Mr Percy’s two-hour film, which will be followed by a second volume next year, documents the changes to central Belsize when the great-great-great grandfather of Terry Tidey, landlord of The Washington, developed the area in the 1860s.
Belsize today features architectural styles ranging from red brick and terracotta, houses of the Arts and Crafts movement to grand Italianate paired villas. “The volumes [are] an architectural tour, but also include famous past residents and interviews with today’s local residents,” said Mr Percy.
