Over the Seas to Belfast (1946)

In the captivating visual journey, "Over the Seas to Belfast," we embark aboard the RMS Scythia as it elegantly departs from Halifax Harbor. Originally an ocean liner transformed into a wartime troop transport, the Scythia's hull echoes with a rich history, including the safe conveyance of Liverpool children to New York during World War II. Now, in the war's aftermath, this majestic vessel resumes its civilian service, marking one of the first transatlantic voyages from North America to the British Isles. Among its passengers are 150 child evacuees, their youth blossoming in the safety of Canada or the USA, now returning home. Our dependable guide, FitzPatrick, commingles with fellow passengers on the deck, engaging in friendly conversation with a lady traveler, their words carried away by the sea breeze. Upon reaching Liverpool, the young evacuees disembark, their eyes wide with anticipation and nostalgia. FitzPatrick and his companions then switch seafaring vessels for their onward journey across the Irish Sea towards the heart of Northern Ireland. We arrive in bustling Belfast, a city pulsating with post-war life as one of the busiest ports in the British Isles. The city unfurls before us in a vibrant tapestry of urban life; the stately city hall, the bustling downtown, the lush botanical gardens, and the majestic parliament building standing sentinel at the city's outskirts. Adding a dash of regal charm, the British royal family graces Belfast with a 'victory visit.' King George VI, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and the young Princess Elizabeth thank the resilient Belfast denizens for their wartime efforts. The closing moments of "Over the Seas to Belfast" offer a riveting documentation of the royal family's activities during their stay, concluding this riveting journey with a touch of royal elegance. This film is not just a travelogue, but a sweeping tale of resilience, reunion, and revival in the aftermath of war.

Over the Seas to Belfast is a documentary movie featuring James A. FitzPatrick.

Over the Seas to Belfast is currently streaming on DIRECTV and TCM.