The Northwest Film Archive has launched the Manchester Time Machine, an iPhone app that merges archive film with GPS to create a street level tour of Manchester’s streets and people over the last 100 years. Manchester Time Machine uses rare historical film from the Archive to take you back to exactly the same location to experience the scene from the same viewpoint. See for yourself how much the city has changed through these fascinating glimpses into the 20th century.

• 80 unique film clips from the North West Film Archive’s collection of over 35,000 items, which reflect people’s lives through work and leisure, places and events, culture and tradition – a regional identity.
• Includes films that depict momentous events – such as the bombings and destruction in 1940, and VE Day across the city – alongside almost forgotten events, like Paulden’s Department store collapsing in 1957.
• The films are grouped by decade from the 1910s, but you can also select a location from the interactive Manchester map to see the same place at different times, or use your GPS to locate a film near you.
• Includes background information on each film clip, plus a virtual compass to orient yourself in the same direction, or just tap the screen to see the original film.
• Create your own Manchester tour and see the city spring to life as it was in the past, or simply watch your favourite films wherever you are and whenever you want them.

The Manchester Time Machine is available for download world-widd from the iTunes App Store. Android and iPad versions to follow