Christchurch 1974

This National Film Unit film visits Christchurch roughly four years before the main event, to promote the city’s readiness to host the Commonwealth Games. A comical potted history of New Zealand precedes a montage of young women cycling around Canterbury environs and a split screen catalogue of NZ tourist attractions, before getting into a survey of the venues. As the opening demonstrates, “there’s always a traditional welcome awaiting our friends!” In 1973 the NFU completed a second film called Christchurch 74, before covering the games themselves in the feature-length Games 74. 

[Christchurch] began more as a model of Victorian formality — but she blossomed and is waiting now to welcome you in 1974.

– Narrator Philip Liner

Key Cast & Crew

John King

Director, Editor, Writer - Commentary

Ron Bowie

Producer

Philip Liner

Narrator

Noel Sheridan

Sound

Geoffrey Scott

Executive Producer

Martin Barriball

Camera