Uploaded April 2020 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
Discover the story behind the recently discovered only known wartime film footage of a secret site connected to Bletchley Park.
A silent film, recently donated to Bletchley Park Trust, is believed to be a compilation of footage recorded between 1939 – 1945, showing members of MI6 Section VIII at Whaddon Hall, Buckinghamshire. During World War Two, this was a most secret site where Ultra intelligence produced by the Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS) at Bletchley Park would be sent, and then passed on to Allied commanders in the field.
In this mini-documentary, hear Bletchley Park Veteran, Geoffery Pidgeon who worked in MI6 Section VIII during WW2, recall how it felt to watch the film for the first time and recognise his father. Peronel Craddock, Bletchley Park's Head of Collections and Exhibitions and Dr. David Kenyon, Research Historian at Bletchley Park also talk about why the discovery of this film is so important.
Watch the original footage: youtu.be/bvVaFE5O3eY
#TheHiddenFilm
Discover More
Visit Bletchley Park: bit.ly/2vBFKyK
Become a Friend: bit.ly/2PNhRen
Bletchley Park Roll of Honour: bit.ly/2x96pmG
Bletchley Park Podcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3tubepI...
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast...
AudioBoom: https://audioboom.com/channel/bletchl...
Facebook: facebook.com/Bletchleypark1
Twitter: twitter.com/bletchleypark
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bletchleypa...
About Bletchley Park
Bletchley Park is a vibrant heritage attraction and museum, open daily to visitors.
It was the home of British World War Two codebreaking; a place where technological innovation and human endeavour came together to make groundbreaking achievements that have helped shape the world we live in today.
This unique site was previously a vast Victorian estate, where parts including the Mansion still survive, expanding during wartime to accommodate Codebreakers Huts and Blocks.
During World War Two, the Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS), now known as the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), was based at Bletchley Park. It grew from a small team of specialists to a vast intelligence factory of thousands of dedicated women and men. This extraordinary combination of brilliant and determined people and cutting-edge technology contributed significantly to Allied victory. In tough conditions, they provided vital intelligence and developed pioneering technological innovation that had a direct and profound influence on the outcome of the war.
The site continues to reveal secrets and tell fascinating stories of our national legacy.
The Bletchley Park Trust
Bletchley Park Trust is a registered charity, heritage attraction and independent museum. As an independent charity, we rely on income from our visitors, Friends and supporters to secure the long-term future of the site.
Registered charity number: 1012743
Discover the story behind the recently discovered only known wartime film footage of a secret site connected to Bletchley Park.
A silent film, recently donated to Bletchley Park Trust, is believed to be a compilation of footage recorded between 1939 – 1945, showing members of MI6 Section VIII at Whaddon Hall, Buckinghamshire. During World War Two, this was a most secret site where Ultra intelligence produced by the Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS) at Bletchley Park would be sent, and then passed on to Allied commanders in the field.
In this mini-documentary, hear Bletchley Park Veteran, Geoffery Pidgeon who worked in MI6 Section VIII during WW2, recall how it felt to watch the film for the first time and recognise his father. Peronel Craddock, Bletchley Park's Head of Collections and Exhibitions and Dr. David Kenyon, Research Historian at Bletchley Park also talk about why the discovery of this film is so important.
Watch the original footage: youtu.be/bvVaFE5O3eY
#TheHiddenFilm
Discover More
Visit Bletchley Park: bit.ly/2vBFKyK
Become a Friend: bit.ly/2PNhRen
Bletchley Park Roll of Honour: bit.ly/2x96pmG
Bletchley Park Podcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3tubepI...
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast...
AudioBoom: https://audioboom.com/channel/bletchl...
Facebook: facebook.com/Bletchleypark1
Twitter: twitter.com/bletchleypark
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bletchleypa...
About Bletchley Park
Bletchley Park is a vibrant heritage attraction and museum, open daily to visitors.
It was the home of British World War Two codebreaking; a place where technological innovation and human endeavour came together to make groundbreaking achievements that have helped shape the world we live in today.
This unique site was previously a vast Victorian estate, where parts including the Mansion still survive, expanding during wartime to accommodate Codebreakers Huts and Blocks.
During World War Two, the Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS), now known as the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), was based at Bletchley Park. It grew from a small team of specialists to a vast intelligence factory of thousands of dedicated women and men. This extraordinary combination of brilliant and determined people and cutting-edge technology contributed significantly to Allied victory. In tough conditions, they provided vital intelligence and developed pioneering technological innovation that had a direct and profound influence on the outcome of the war.
The site continues to reveal secrets and tell fascinating stories of our national legacy.
The Bletchley Park Trust
Bletchley Park Trust is a registered charity, heritage attraction and independent museum. As an independent charity, we rely on income from our visitors, Friends and supporters to secure the long-term future of the site.
Registered charity number: 1012743
