New device available: Amazon Fire TV

Free

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.

Read more Close
Watch for free

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.

Currently unavailable

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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'.

Watch for free

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'.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Currently unavailable

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.

Currently unavailable

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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...

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

Gallant DefendersGallant Defenders

Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent

Retreating Belgian troops arrive in Ostend in the wake of the Siege of Antwerp.

Currently unavailable

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.

Currently unavailable

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

Two ColumbinesTwo Columbines

Drama 1914 33 mins

Moving theatre-set Christmas tale of a former dancer and her child

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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...

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

Lord Lovat's ScoutsLord Lovat's Scouts

Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent

Rare film of soldiers working out before heading to the battlefields.

Watch for free

Christmas Church ParadeChristmas Church Parade

Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent

Recruits of Lord Kitchener's 'New Army' parade on Christmas morning.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

Feeding the GermansFeeding the Germans

Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent

A rare glimpse of the WWI enemy at rest for British audiences

Watch for free

Comic Ulster FightComic Ulster Fight

Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Ballywater

Alternative Ulster: a village pageant with a difference

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

A Patriotic OfferA Patriotic Offer

Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: London

An introduction to the wonders of the automobile for curious WWI enlisties.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

Dublin Civic Exhibition Dublin Civic Exhibition

Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent

Lord and lady reformers crusade for Dublin's civic advancement.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

Sons of the EmpireSons of the Empire

Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent

Grinning Canadian troops arrive in England.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Currently unavailable

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.

Watch for free

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.

Currently unavailable

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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

Watch for free

Catholic Procession at EarlsfieldCatholic Procession at Earlsfield

Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent Location: Earlsfield

Children steal the show at a solemn South London procession.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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

Watch for free

TrilbyTrilby

Drama 1914 8 minsSilent

A filmic record of Sir Herbert Tree’s legendary stage performance as Svengali.

Watch for free

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 King’s visit to the county fair

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

Orange Day Orange Day

Non-Fiction 1914 1 minsSilent

Ulster’s loyalists on the march, on the final 12th July of the World War One years.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

The Little Match GirlThe Little Match Girl

Fairy tale 1914 9 minsSilent

Richly detailed evocation of Hans Christian Andersen's heart-breaking parable.