Primitive London

A documentary made in the 1960s, it investigates the counter‑culture of London. The film looks at practices such as wife‑swapping and the lifestyles of mods, rockers and beatniks. It also touches on subjects like childbirth and the killing of chickens.

Primitive London is a documentary film produced in the 1960s that offers a look at the capital’s underground scene. Classified as a programme of the movie genre, it presents viewers with a visual record of a period when alternative lifestyles were beginning to surface across the city. The film moves through a series of subcultural groups that defined the era. It records the practices of wife‑swapping, the fashion and music of the mods, the rebellious image of the rockers, and the artistic leanings of the beatniks. Alongside these social currents, the documentary also touches on more intimate moments such as childbirth, as well as the stark act of killing chickens, illustrating the breadth of everyday life. By juxtaposing these varied elements, the programme paints a picture of a London that was both vibrant and contradictory. The inclusion of both celebratory and violent scenes underscores how the city’s counter‑culture was intertwined with ordinary domestic experiences. It also records the everyday interactions that accompany these subcultures. Overall, Primitive London serves as a snapshot of a transformative decade, capturing the attitudes, behaviours and occasional cruelties that co‑existed within the metropolis. Its focus on such a wide range of subjects provides a concise yet comprehensive view of the period’s alternative currents.