When I was a teenager and in my early twenties, one of my favourite things was going to the local video rental shop to rent out the latest releases and older film favourites. I did the whole mail-order thing when video rental shops were dying out due to the rise of streaming, but eventually even these were no longer available.
I thought that video rental stores in the UK were long gone, like the dinosaurs, a fond memory from my youth. You can imagine my surprise when I found out late last year that the longest-running video rental store in the world is based here in the southwest, in Bristol. Not only that, but 20th Century Flicks also boasts to have the largest collection of films to rent in the UK and houses the smallest cinemas in Bristol.
The shop itself is bijou and has a cool vibe emanating as soon as you enter. It has DVDs, Bluerays and even 3000 VHS films in every available nook and cranny, which is quite something to see in person.
There are over 20,000 films available to rent, including new releases, cult classics and releases that are harder to find. Interestingly, you can either go to the store to become a member and rent or sign up over the phone or the website to have them posted to you instead, so anyone in the UK can rent from the store. Thankfully, membership is free. It was very quick and simple when I signed up in-store and got my membership card straight away.
You can choose to view the film you have hired in one of the two cinemas, which are both very cosy with mostly comfy seats, in addition to the odd corner seat. Both the cinema screens have their own names – The Videodrome is the larger of the two and can hold comfortably 10, or 18 max. The Kino is the smaller one, which has been decked out with a Twin Peaks theme and can house up to 8 people, and is the screen used for the ‘couples’ evening screening (for up to 3 people!?!).
20th Century Flicks current home is on the historic and listed Christmas Steps, which if you’re into your history is very lovely to walk up. Unfortunately, this means there are accessibility issues and access to the building can’t be altered due to the listed status of the Christmas Steps. There is still the postal video rental option, so you still have access to all the films held in the store and the screening events 20th Century Flicks helps to organise at accessible venues.
The owner, David Taylor, is one of the co-directors of Bristol’s Forbidden Worlds film festival, seen here in the photo with his festival co-director Ti Singh. 20th Century Flicks has been heavily involved with the Forbidden Worlds Festival and the Bristol Megascreen where the Festival is being held. The Bristol Megascreen is what used to be the Bristol IMAX and both Dave Taylor and Ti Singh have been involved in resurrecting this amazing cinema screen.
This year’s Festival is running from 28th May to 1st June and is called Forbidden Worlds Of The Deep – it will be looking at all things water related. This year’s Forbidden Worlds Legend is producer Gale Anne Hurd, some of her most famous work includes The Walking Dead TV series, and films Aliens (1986), Tremors (1990), and Battle Beyond The Stars (1980). All three of these films will be screening at the Festival, with Gale Ann Hurd giving a Q&A session before Aliens and an intro before the other two films. Luckily, there are still tickets available to some of the screenings.
20th Century Flicks is a wonderful store to spend some time in, and I’m sure you’ll find a few films to take home and enjoy.
