ZURICH FINANCIAL SERVICES (UKISA) LTD

: Still from THE MAGIC SCROLL (photo courtesy of Zurich Financial Services [UKISA] Ltd)
Description: The Zurich Financial Services (UKISA) Ltd archive comprises three films. Note: Eagle Star is now part of the Zurich Financial Services Group. NB The Group Archives were closed in 2003. Records were transferred Guildhall Library, London.
Website: http://www.zurich.com
Keywords: Advertising films; Coronation, Elizabeth II
Access: Zurich Financial Services (UKISA) Ltd allows in general access to these films; reproduction is possible in appropriate circumstances provided that the company’s name would be included. Any charge would be according to circumstances, although as a general rule the company would not expect to charge, provided that the company’s name was clearly visible.
Copyright: Copyright held.

Video/Film: Video: Eagle Star Museum Video (1991; 11 min). This was made for Eagle Star News to show the history of Eagle Star, using items from the Museum then at Oriel Lodge, Cheltenham. Commentary spoken by Charles Harrison.
Videos of the The Magic Scroll and Gloria Regina have been made.
Film: 1) The Magic Scroll (1930; 6 min). This was the second advertising film commissioned by the company (known at that date as the Eagle, Star and British Dominions Insurance Company). The script was written by Ernest Spater (1886-1975) who joined British Dominions in 1915, and retired in 1951. From the historic point of view the most valuable feature of this film is the appearance and voice of Sir Edward Mountain, the founder of Eagle Star, and of Sydney Bennett, his general manager. Original film of The Magic Scroll held at NFTVA.
2) Gloria Regina (1953; 22 min). This film of the Coronation was made by Ron English, formerly a senior Eagle Star inspector in the West End, from 79 Pall Mall, originally built in 1867 as the Eagle’s head office. The shots of London, of the procession passing 79 Pall Mall and of the interior of 79 Pall Mall were filmed by Ron English. The official footage of the ceremony was taken by him from a film on public sale at the time. The interior scenes are of Eagle Star senior management and staff who gathered at the office to watch the occasion on specially-installed television sets.

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British Universities Film & Video Council