The Somme

Hounslow
1927
Silent
90m

Dramatic reconstruction of the Somme

This sophisticated retelling of the Battle of the Somme includes an outstanding montage 'over the top' sequence

This film about the events of the Somme, produced by New Era, continued in style of British Instructional's series of battle reconstruction films. It was principally the brainchild of Geoffrey Barkas and writer Boyd Cable (Ernest Ewart), both of whom were at the Somme. When Barkas fell ill, MA Wetherall took over the direction. The film follows the model of other battle films, incorporating some original footage and reconstructing episodes featuring heroic actions by Victoria Cross recipients.

The First World War: Remembrance

These poignant films return us to a time when the war was still fresh.

The First World War came to an end at 11am on 11 November 1918 - the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month - a day that was immediately commemorated as Armistice Day (Remembrance Sunday was an innovation of the Second World War). The annual parades and wreath laying became a staple of the newsreels, and subsequently television.

But the act of remembrance began long before the guns stopped firing. During the war, cinemas across the country regularly screened 'Roll of Honour' films, paying tribute to members of the local community who had been killed, captured or wounded in the conflict. And of course, while the war itself faded into history, filmmakers would revisit those world-shattering years for generations after.