London: Air Raid, 1917

City of London
1917-06
Silent
4m

Twisted metal, jagged wood and piles of rubble: the devastating aftermath of an air raid in London.

Scenes of devastation in Paternoster Buildings in the City of London after an air raid, probably courtesy of a military airship. The scene is uncannily similar to footage of the aftermath of WWII Blitz attacks, apart from the occasional horses and carts glimpsed in the background.

Scenes of devastation in Paternoster Buildings in the City of London after an air raid, probably courtesy of a military airship. The scene is uncannily similar to footage of the aftermath of World War II Blitz attacks, apart from the occasional horses and carts glimpsed in the background.
Several shopfronts are seen: "John Sharman & Co. Ltd" and "Walter Scott Publishing"

The First World War

From the home front to the front line: life during the 'war to end all wars' as seen through the lens of newsreel, propaganda and drama.

Films made and shown in Britain between 1914 and 1918 reflect the scale and horror of the unfolding conflict across multiple theatres of war, but also capture a nation trying to get on with everyday life. Filmmakers shot everything from local events and celebrations to short comedies that provided a much-needed dose of light relief in difficult times. Insights into the changing role of women in wartime and Britain's reliance on colonial troops can also be found.

After WWI, Armistice Day and Remembrance ceremonies were often caught on film, while British cinema produced epic dramas addressing the experiences of the Great War into the 1920s and beyond.