Song of the Woods

From the collection of

Screen Archive South East at the University of Brighton
Screen Archive South East at the University of Brighton collects, preserves, catalogues and provides public access to its collection of films and magic lantern slides. The collection charts the rise of screen culture in the region and the nation and captures many aspects of life, work and creativity in the South East from the late 19th century to the present day. It is available for research, screenings, creative re-use and commercial access.

Song of the Woods


You can almost hear the wind in the trees, the gurgling water and the bells for Evensong in this beautifully shot film from Frank Barnitt

This beautifully composed film from Frank Barnitt starts with sunlit woods and streams. Shots of clouds and lakes, framed by branches are followed by scenes showing cattle and a quiet village church. Then we see fallow deer in a woodland glade, swans and a single leaf on water. Switching to Dufaycolour, we see more details of trees, foliage and spiders before visiting anglers at a wier pool. We end with horses ploughing a field and a sunset amongst the conifers.

Frank Perrin Barnitt was a Tunbridge Wells solicitor who was also a highly skilled photographer and amateur film maker. Many of his films feature the natural world and range from poetical films about the land, traditional farming and rural handicrafts to natural history films on a microscopic level. In each of these films, Barnitt displays a high degree of technical skill as well as directorial ability as well as an ongoing enthusiasm for narrative film making. His ability to capture beautifully composed shots is a special feature of this particular film. On his retirement in 1945, Barnitt moved to Oulton Broad in Suffolk.


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