Brighton Story

The ghost of Lt. Colonel John Eld, the third and final Master of Ceremony, and often called the King of Brighton, returns to his beloved home a hundred years after he died. He finds much that is changed, but also much that is the same about the city he adored.

It stars Alex Clunes. Nowadays he may best be remembered for being the father of Martin Clunes. In his time, however, he was considered one of the leading performers of classic English drama on the stage, at the Old Vic and elsewhere. Here, dressed in mid-Victorian finery, he speaks the words of Eld in a lush manner that beautifully complement the images of the often bumptious seaside resort.

An extraordinary documentary but also a delightful ghost story. Alec Clunes plays a ghost who returns to Brighton after a 100 years to find the city much changed. He is dressed in presumably 1855 clothes and his tour of the town shows many places and people that everyone who love Brighton will want to see. There is sadly no mention of Hove as it is now linked with Brighton and the place a city whereas in 1955 Brighton was a town. I found this gem on YouTube and it is an excellent example of how documentary can be as equally magical as any purely fictional film. Nothing has really changed, and the young couple he sees periodically in the film are a reminder that youth has its own version of this unique city. A lot has been lost or in decay now, but the spirit of the place is still here and at the close of the film Alec Clunes looks towards the west and the sunset over the city. It is a deeply moving film dedicated to an era now itself nearly 70 years old. To sum up; the children of 1955 will be able to see Brighton as it was, and so many dormant or forgotten memories will be aroused and hopefully recalled with joy.