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1914 on Film
What did our forebears watch a century ago? Discover the cinema of 1914 in this very mixed programme from the year the world changed.
Cinema a century ago was a new, exciting, very democratic form of entertainment coming into its own. Film had left behind the music halls and fairgrounds it had first inhabited and found a home of its own. It was the beginning of the age of the picture palaces. These often luxurious early cinemas sprang up across the country, offering friendly, sociable entertainment - a more family-oriented alternative to theatres and pubs. Longer feature films were still rare, and the typical programme was an ever-changing roster of short items with live musical accompaniment: perhaps a newsreel, an 'interest' film or travelogue, a comedy or two and a short drama. Few at the start of 1914 forecast the storm that would engulf Europe by the end of summer. These films also tell us much about the state of the nation in the months before and after the outbreak of a war that would change Britain and film. 100 years on, this collection whisks us back to the world of our cinemagoing grandparents and great-grandparents, allowing us to see for ourselves some of the films they once watched and enjoyed.
Lt Pimple and the Stolen SubmarineLt Pimple and the Stolen Submarine
Comedy 1914 14 minsSilent Location: Twickenham
The intrepid Lieutenant Pimple thwarts foreign enemies in an action-packed wartime spy spoof.
From Antwerp to OstendFrom Antwerp to Ostend
Travelogue 1914 5 minsSilent
On the brink of invasion, holidaymakers promenade while refugees shelter in beach huts on the Belgian coastline in 1914.
German Spy PerilGerman Spy Peril
War 1914 7 minsSilent
Inventive WWI propaganda in which a rejected volunteer foils a German plot to blow up Parliament.
Egypt and Her DefendersEgypt and Her Defenders
Travelogue 1914 10 minsSilent
Cairo street scenes, the pyramids, the majestic Nile and a visiting Lord Kitchener in a gorgeous tinted travelogue.
Gloves of PtamesGloves of Ptames
Fantasy 1914 9 minsSilent
A mysterious pair of gloves from an ancient Egyptian tomb cause chaos in this silent 'trick' comedy.
Palace PandemoniumPalace Pandemonium
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Buckingham Palace
The campaign for women's suffrage steps up as Emmeline Pankhurst is arrested at the gates of Buckingham Palace.
How Things Do DevelopHow Things Do Develop
Comedy 1914 7 minsSilent
Two budding photographers enjoy a day's happy snapping in this quaint comedy caper.
Mr Churchill's DepartureMr Churchill's Departure
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: London
A handsome steam launch ferries the future PM downriver to the luxury yacht 'Enchantress'.
Balloon Accident at St CloudBalloon Accident at St Cloud
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
An aeronautical accident is caught on camera at a Parisian 'AΓ©ro-Parc'.
Sea DreamsSea Dreams
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1914 6 minsSilent
Skilled artist Lancelot Speed brings his cartoons to life to mock the German navy at the start of WWI.
An All-round AthleteAn All-round Athlete
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Putney
Swimming champion Walter Brickett enters the record books with an incredible feat of physical endurance.
Red Cross Dogs Red Cross Dogs
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Talented and obedient Red Cross dogs prepare to rescue Berlin's wounded from the Front.
Venetian ShoresVenetian Shores
Non-Fiction 1914 5 minsSilent
Blissful scenes of tourists arriving by boat and then sea bathing on a beach in the Venetian lagoon.
Servants SupercededServants Superceded
Comedy 1911 7 minsSilent
Two gifted servants perform magical feats for their employer with the aid of some impressive cinematic trick effects.
Lord Mayor's Show Lord Mayor's Show
Non-Fiction 1914 2 minsSilent Location: London
Colonial troops greet London's new Lord Mayor in a patriotic wartime ceremony.
Preparing the Rations Preparing the Rations
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Ear-to-ear grins prove that an army marches on its stomach in this poignant film of young WWI reservists at a field kitchen far from home.
General French's Contemptible Little ArmyGeneral French's Contemptible Little Army
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1914 7 minsSilent
Mixing lightning sketches with animation, this propaganda cartoon comes to life in defence of the British fighting force of 1914.
Motor V. AeroplaneMotor V. Aeroplane
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Brooklands
A visit to the famous Brooklands race track in Weybridge, Surrey, where Saturday afternoon crowds gather for the big race.
England Expects England Expects
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Trafalgar Square
A memorial to Lord Nelson in Trafalgar Square inspires new heroes as war rages again in Europe.
Wrecked "Rohilla"Wrecked "Rohilla"
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Whitby
A hospital ship is tragically wrecked off the North Yorkshire coast during World War I.
Stone Age Village: Sir H. Beerbohm Tree Assists in the Hastings Pageant FestivitiesStone Age Village: Sir H. Beerbohm Tree Assists in the Hastings Pageant Festivities
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Hastings
Legendary theatrical actor-manager Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree steps back in time as guest of honour at a historical pageant in East Sussex.
Indian's Memorial ServiceIndian's Memorial Service
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Earl's Court
Exotic visitors cause a stir at West London's Brompton Cemetery
Love Story of Ann Thomas the Maid of Cefn YdfaLove Story of Ann Thomas the Maid of Cefn Ydfa
Historical drama 1914 34 minsSilent Location: Cefn Ydfa
Lovingly rendered version of a traditional Welsh folk tale of thwarted romance, set in 17th-century Cefn Ydfa.
Mike Murphy As Picture ActorMike Murphy As Picture Actor
Comedy 1914 6 minsSilent
Cut! An aspiring thespian runs amok on a film set in this slapstick silent comedy.
Our Submarines Our Submarines
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
British submarine inspection at Spithead just before the start of World War I. This was issued in December after a sub sunk a ship in the Dardanelles action of 1914.
Christmas at the FrontChristmas at the Front
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Poignant scenes of Allied troops enjoying their Yuletide rations at the first Christmas of WWI.
Winky's RuseWinky's Ruse
Comedy 1914 6 minsSilent
Gregarious tramp Winky tries to get one over on the local innkeeper in this daft silent comic short.
The Magic GlassThe Magic Glass
Comedy 1914 12 minsSilent
An inventor develops a magnifying glass that can see though solid objects, but when he uses it on his family it proves more curse than boon...
London ScottishLondon Scottish
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Rare shots of the London Scottish Battalion, also known as 'Cockney Jocks' or 'Piccadilly Allsorts', fresh from a gallant victory at Ypres.
Empress of Ireland DisasterEmpress of Ireland Disaster
Non-Fiction 1914 9 minsSilent
Beautiful and chilling newsreel pictures of the worst maritime disaster in Canadian history.
Artillery at Alost Artillery at Alost
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Belgium's defiance in the face of German occupation is poignantly captured in one long take.
Finding His CounterpartFinding His Counterpart
Comedy 1914 9 minsSilent
A comedy clot takes up phrenology and tries to find his ideal partner by feeling the bumps on women's heads, only to end up as a cannibal's dinner.
Gallant DefendersGallant Defenders
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Retreating Belgian troops arrive in Ostend in the wake of the Siege of Antwerp.
Battle of LebbekeBattle of Lebbeke
Documentary 1914 5 minsSilent
Extraordinary early WWI footage of Belgian army delaying the German advance - aided by bicycles, armoured cars and machine-gun pulling dogs.
Gutty Golf Test MatchGutty Golf Test Match
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Moor Park
20th century golf measures up against its own past in an intriguing match play game.
And Very Nice TooAnd Very Nice Too
Comedy 1914 9 minsSilent
A vicar is caught flirting with an improperly-dressed chorus girl in this saucy silent comedy.
Fife and Forfar YeomanryFife and Forfar Yeomanry
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Huntingdon
Scots soldiers are drilled in trench warfare techniques in leafy English countryside.
Two ColumbinesTwo Columbines
Drama 1914 33 mins
Moving theatre-set Christmas tale of a former dancer and her child
8,000 Men on Strike at Woolwich Arsenal8,000 Men on Strike at Woolwich Arsenal
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Woolwich
Munitions workers down tools, weeks before Britain enters WWI.
Dogs for the AntarcticDogs for the Antarctic
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Beddington
Ernest Shackleton's sledge-dogs pause to promote 'Spratt's Dog Cakes', en route to the South Pole.
Ring and the RajahRing and the Rajah
Drama 1914 14 minsSilent
"East is east and west is west": an Indian maharajah falls for an Englishwoman with disastrous consequences in this early fiction short.
The Mystic GloveThe Mystic Glove
Comedy 1914 5 minsSilent
Bizarre comedy in which an overfed diner has a peculiar dream involving a spectre and magical gloves.
Carpentier and Gunboat SmithCarpentier and Gunboat Smith
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Boxing stars Georges Carpentier and 'Gunboat' Smith pull the crowds ahead of their title bout for the World White Heavyweight Championship.
German Prisoners German Prisoners
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Striking WWI scenes demonstrating a wary Belgian army's treatment of German prisoners - and newsreel cameramen...
King's Visit to BelgiumKing's Visit to Belgium
Non-Fiction 1914 5 minsSilent
Moving scenes of wartime devastation in the historic Belgian city of Ypres.
Army Cross Country Army Cross Country
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Aldershot
Private Daly of the Connaught Rangers triumphs in the Aldershot Command annual cross country race, months before the outbreak of WWI.
Millionaires at PlayMillionaires at Play
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Enjoy the chilly thrills and spills of a bobsleigh ride in an exclusive New York suburb.
Looping the Loop at HendonLooping the Loop at Hendon
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Hendon
Spectacular feats of early aviation at Hendon Aerodrome, North London.
German Gun in London German Gun in London
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
An impressive WWI German field gun exhibited in the grounds of the War Office stands testament to the gains made by allied forces in Europe.
Lord Lovat's ScoutsLord Lovat's Scouts
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Rare film of soldiers working out before heading to the battlefields.
Christmas Church ParadeChristmas Church Parade
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Recruits of Lord Kitchener's 'New Army' parade on Christmas morning.
The Man Who Never Made GoodThe Man Who Never Made Good
Comedy 1914 8 minsSilent Location: Croydon
A bungling bumpkin fails at a number of jobs in this slapstick comedy - before he finds his true calling.
Royal Visit to ScotlandRoyal Visit to Scotland
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Scotland
HMS Benbow and Fairfield shipyard on the Clyde welcomes the King, Queen and Princess Mary.
A Fisher-girl's FollyA Fisher-girl's Folly
Drama 1914 2 minsSilent
A tantalising fragment from a drama of love and jealousy on the North Devon coast.
Feeding the GermansFeeding the Germans
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
A rare glimpse of the WWI enemy at rest for British audiences
Comic Ulster FightComic Ulster Fight
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Ballywater
Alternative Ulster: a village pageant with a difference
The Austrian TragedyThe Austrian Tragedy
Non-Fiction 1914 2 minsSilent
A muted newsreel tribute to Austria's Archduke Franz Ferdinand - victim of an assassin's bullet in an event that would soon take Europe to war.
Mexican UnrestMexican Unrest
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
The police of Mexico City are given arms during the Mexican Revolution, but seem somewhat unconvincing in this ceremonial parade.
A Patriotic OfferA Patriotic Offer
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: London
An introduction to the wonders of the automobile for curious WWI enlisties.
Naval Review 1914Naval Review 1914
Non-Fiction 1914 5 minsSilent Location: Spithead
King George V reviews the British fleet at Spithead in July 1914, as Britain steels herself for war.
Paris SensationParis Sensation
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Newsreel cameras capture huge crowds thronging the Paris streets for the funeral of an assassinated newspaper editor.
Dublin Civic Exhibition Dublin Civic Exhibition
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Lord and lady reformers crusade for Dublin's civic advancement.
The Rollicking RajahThe Rollicking Rajah
Variety show 1914 3 minsSilent
Early Vivaphone film capturing a jolly music hall routine about a maharajah's visit to London, made to be screened with a synchronised sound disc.
Modern 'Huns' Leave Their Mark Modern 'Huns' Leave Their Mark
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
The ruins of an unnamed Belgian town early in WWI.
Ostend in War-Time Ostend in War-Time
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Belgian soldiers and civilian refugees gather in Ostend in early WWI, before evacuating to England.
Sound of the DrumSound of the Drum
Non-Fiction 1914 0 minsSilent
A wartime call-to-arms performed by the Band of the Grenadier Guards.
Sons of the EmpireSons of the Empire
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Grinning Canadian troops arrive in England.
Our Naval LossesOur Naval Losses
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
A moving eulogy to British ships sunk by the German navy in the early months of WWI.
Scout's Valuable AidScout's Valuable Aid
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Vigilant young Sea Scouts support the war effort by keeping a watchful eye on Britain's coastline.
An Engagement of ConvenienceAn Engagement of Convenience
Comedy 1914 16 minsSilent
Silent British star Alma Taylor finds love in this dramatic short, which packs forgery, blackmail and romance into its 15-minute running time.
Mexico: To Inspire Confidence in the PeopleMexico: To Inspire Confidence in the People
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Wonderfully clear newsreel pictures of a parade through Mexico City during the Mexican Revolution.
Henley Finals Witnessed by Enormous Crowds Henley Finals Witnessed by Enormous Crowds
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Henley-on-Thames
A grand turn out for the last Henley Royal Regatta before World War I.
Attack on Antwerp Attack on Antwerp
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Belgian infantry and artillery defend Antwerp against the besieging German army in an early battle of World War I.
Fire Fighters in Hyde ParkFire Fighters in Hyde Park
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Hyde Park
George V and Queen Mary swap flowers for medals at an annual Fire Brigade display in Hyde Park.
Fat Man on a BicycleFat Man on a Bicycle
Comedy 1914 2 minsSilent Location: Teddington
A clumsy oversized cyclist causes chaos in this knockabout silent comedy.
From the Fighting Top of a Battleship in ActionFrom the Fighting Top of a Battleship in Action
Non-Fiction 1909 4 minsSilent
Britannia rules the waves! Scenes of a battleship at gunnery practice, with fine shots of the guns firing.
Bisley Rifle MeetingBisley Rifle Meeting
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Bisley
Gun-toting Miss Wallace outshoots her fellow marksmen at the Imperial Rifle Meet at Bisley, Surrey.
Theatrical Garden Party in Regents ParkTheatrical Garden Party in Regents Park
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Regent's Park
Stage stars 'do their bit' at a charity fundraising fete.
Judges at WestminsterJudges at Westminster
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Westminster
Traditional pomp attends the reopening of the law courts, where bench and bar are on show
Catholic Procession at EarlsfieldCatholic Procession at Earlsfield
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Earlsfield
Children steal the show at a solemn South London procession.
Sir Edward Carson in Belfast Sir Edward Carson in Belfast
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Belfast
Sir Edward Carson speeds through an inspection of members of the Ulster Volunteer Force before hot-footing it to London for urgent talks on the Home Rule crisis.
Winchelsea and Its SurroundingsWinchelsea and Its Surroundings
Travelogue 1914 11 minsSilent Location: Winchelsea
Legendary Punch cartoonist Harry Furniss leads a pictorial tour of the beautiful East Sussex town.
The British in BelgiumThe British in Belgium
School programme and Educational film 1930 11 minsSilent
In Flanders fields - this educational compilation of WWI footage tries to teach the most important lesson of all: never again
TrilbyTrilby
Drama 1914 8 minsSilent
A filmic record of Sir Herbert Treeβs legendary stage performance as Svengali.
The King's Visit to the Royal Agricultural Show, ShrewsburyThe King's Visit to the Royal Agricultural Show, Shrewsbury
Non-Fiction 1914 7 minsSilent Location: Shrewsbury
A sneak peek at the shires of Shrewsbury on display for the Kingβs visit to the county fair
The English SwitzerlandThe English Switzerland
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Buxton
A winter paradise in the Peak District: beautifully-composed shots of snow-clad Buxton.
Princess Royal at MarylebonePrincess Royal at Marylebone
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Princess Louise gets a rowdy reception as she lays the foundation stone for the new Marylebone Town Hall
Ritchie, The World's light-weight Boxing Champion, Training for His Fight with Freddy Welsh at Olympia.Ritchie, The World's light-weight Boxing Champion, Training for His Fight with Freddy Welsh at Olympia.
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Westminster
Soon to be ex-champion Willie Ritchie prepares for his title bout with Freddie Walsh.
Orange Day Orange Day
Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent
Ulsterβs loyalists on the march, on the final 12th July of the World War One years.
SleeplessSleepless
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1914 5 minsSilent
Cartoon drawings come to life to haunt the German Emperor in a witty piece of WWI propaganda.
The Little Match GirlThe Little Match Girl
Fairy tale 1914 9 minsSilent
Richly detailed evocation of Hans Christian Andersen's heart-breaking parable.