Rare 1966 Battle of Hastings Reenactment Film Unearthed and Restored

A forgotten time capsule film, documenting the very first re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings, has been discovered and meticulously restored after nearly 60 years. The footage, originally gifted to English Heritage, is set to be shown to the public for the first time this weekend, almost six decades after it was created.

The film provides a unique insight into an ambitious effort to recreate England's most pivotal battle on its 900th anniversary. Archival footage reveals hundreds of re-enactors engaged in combat, noted for a 'rather relaxed attitude towards health and safety' compared to modern standards.

Alan Wootton, who owned an electronics business with his wife Mary in Hastings, East Sussex, filmed the event. The town council commissioned the couple to document the anniversary celebrations after they developed an innovative method for recording sound with silent home movies. Their successful coverage of the Norman and Anglo-Saxon battle re-enactment led to it becoming an annual tradition.

Today, the re-enactment is a significant event organized by English Heritage and held each October at Battle Abbey in East Sussex. Following Mr. Wootton's passing, his wife entrusted all 300 reels of film to their son, Cliff, who undertook the restoration.

Cliff Wootton, who assisted with the original sound recording as a 12-year-old, shared his memories of the event, recalling it as a massive undertaking. "Dad had me helping him at the 1966 re-enactment, so I was right there in the middle of it all," he said. "I remember it being a huge event and it was fascinating to work on the footage again after all these years."

He expressed pride in his parents' achievement and pleasure that their work will now be shared widely. "We're hugely proud of what Dad and Mum achieved with their film and sound equipment, and are delighted that English Heritage will be showing it to so many other people who share an interest in this fantastic piece of British history."

English Heritage highlighted that the film, which includes lively scenes of re-enactors marching through Battle High Street, is likely to surprise contemporary viewers. James Witcombe, English Heritage site manager for Battle Abbey, described the film as an "incredible time capsule."

"It captures not only the first regular Battle of Hastings re-enactment but also the atmosphere of an event that continues, to this day, to bring history to life for thousands of people almost 1,000 years after the original battle," Witcombe stated. "Some of what we see in Alan's film is certainly a reminder of just how much re-enactment – and health and safety – has changed over the past 60 years."

Ahead of the 60th re-enactment on October 10 and 11, English Heritage is seeking to identify and invite original participants from the 1966 event. "We would love to hear from anyone who took part in that first event," Witcombe urged. "We know that many of the original foot soldiers were recruited from Sussex and Kent Universities but have no record of names. If you recognise yourself, or a friend or relative, in the footage, please get in touch. We'd love to invite surviving 1966 re-enactors to join us as special guests at this weekend's re-enactment - now in its 60th year."