Old Odeon Cinema Colchester.

[@duncanstewart9443]

This is BRILLIANT! Always been fascinated by the history and Architecture of the older Cinemas. Thanks for putting this together and sharing!

[@JASPURGEON]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@RJB19792]

I was working at this cinema on Saturday 5th October 2002 when some of this was recorded. I was probably working behind the kiosk or in the shop. This video brings back lots of memories. That was the last week in that building. We’re we’re thrown in at the deep end on the first day in the new cinema. Had no idea where anything was or how the new machines worked. Good times.

[@JASPURGEON]

It was sad to see the place close. I worked there myself 90-91, as did my Nan many years before that. I was the last person to come out of the auditorium (screen 6) of the last film to finish showing on the final night. I’ve never felt that the new Odeon felt like as much of a cinema as the old place.

[@RJB19792]

@@JASPURGEON Yes I was sad to see it go too. It’s such a shame the building is sitting there empty and rotting away to this day. Hard to believe it was so full of activity 18 years ago. Have to say the new building was fun to work in too. Just very different.

[@newcamnoddy]

Odeon certainly maximised income by the ever increasing screens...fairly rare as once converted they usually stopped at 3 or 4..obviously a long lease and at least it gave filmgoers a choice..although I totally despise small screens as a result...not the experience you need. At least now newer cinemas/ returns are looking at better seating and screens...albeit 10 years behind Asian cinemas:)

[@pypseh7371]

Just explored this tonight its very trashed but still looks similiar to this brilliant video! Well done Jason!

[@JASPURGEON]

Not that I'd have the bottle to do it, but I'd love to see inside and get photos. I can't get over the fact that nothing has been done to the place in over 2 decades now. I've some great memories of the place before it closed.

[@pypseh7371]

@@JASPURGEON yes me too, incredible place, sadly water dripping a lot in screen 6 and bird crap in the foyer, but everything else is kept. It seems the walls separating screen 2,3 and 4 have have been destroyed, so is a massive open space underneath screen 1. Hopefully you will see it soon!

[@andrewjarvis3062]

It reminds me of the good old day,s when I actually had enough spare cash to go to the Cinema and you did not have to get a Bank loan to afford a film.Happy memories.

[@SpongeDan]

Which movie was the last to be shown?

[@stephenkissane4268]

I guess some of this was filmed in 92. Alien 3 and batman returns were about to open. Love the graphics for star trek and back to the future re releases

[@JASPURGEON]

Indeed most of this was from 92. Loved my brief time working at the Odeon. Thanks for the comments on the graphics. How much easier it would be today just to do a search online for an image instead of having to hook up a VHS player, find a movie, then plug in a capture device to my Amiga, then manipulate the image using Deluxe paint and so on. Happy days!

[@alejandro006]

29:11 my Favorite part

[@pypseh7371]

Yes

[@chiefsub68]

I did the headline for the Gazette. We used the Odeon font to spell out End of the Odeon down the page.

[@stevegabbey689]

I WENT TO THE LAST DAY IN SCREEN 2 THINKS IT WAS SIGNS MEL GIBSON HAVE ALOT OF HAPPY MEMORIES GOI GTHERE ALMOST EVERY WWWK SOME TIMES MORE I remember Steve the projectionist. Sad to see the old place in such a mess now

[@stephengabbey8908]

Prefer it to the new one even with the ghost