MANX National Heritage has taken inspiration from the Oscar winning film The King's Speech for an upcoming film night.

The royal visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1945 will be shown on Friday, March 11, at the Manx Museum.

This was the first away visit from the United Kingdom for the royal couple since the onset of the First World War.

Photographs and film from the time show the royal procession around the Island, the armed forces based here, and the crowds who turned out to witness the event. 

Archivist Wendy Thirkettle said: "While the black and white film is silent with no original soundtrack we do know the text of the speeches given by His Royal Highness. Their powerful content and the boost to morale they offered is all the more striking in light of the difficulties overcome in their delivery by His Majesty."

More rare and unique footage which has been cared for within the heritage archives will be shown on the night including the mines and railways of the Island, the arrival of Odin's Raven in 1979 and scenes from onboard the Steam Packet Company's ferries.

Footage will show the Lady of Mann I leaving Douglas on her farewell voyage in summer 1971 prior to being broken up. She was a Second World War veteran, requisitioned by the Admiralty. Under the command of Captain Tom Woods she made multiple trips to evacuate soldiers from Dunkirk and later embarked more allied troops at Cherbourg and Brest in 1940. In 1944 she acted as a troop carrier on D-Day and afterwards transported American forces to Utah and Omaha beaches.

The King, his subjects and the Isle of Man on film in 1945 starts at 7.30pm. Doors open at 7pm. Admission is free but tickets are required. These can be collected from the Manx Museum reception.