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1918 on Film
The final year of the war was a tough one for British film, but the industry did its patriotic best.
1918 in British cinema inevitably centred on the war. With shortages of personnel and materiel, production dwindled to a trickle of feature length dramas and the usual mix of newsreels, interest films and comedies. These were increasingly influenced by Government propaganda, which had got into its stride just as the war was coming to a close. There was even an attempt to make an officially sanctioned morale-boosting feature film - known for a time as 'The National Film' but surviving only as a fragment called Victory and Peace. Meanwhile, even some non-official films - like Maurice Elvey's Nelson, the Story of an Immortal Hero - focused on patriotic subjects.
Comedies, too, reflected the times. One of the best is Trips and Tribunals, in which Lupino Lane plays a succession of reluctant conscripts begging for exemption from war service. Also in a comic vein were a charming series of films made by and starring celebrity couple Henry Edwards and Chrissie White, exhorting citizens to recycle and save food. Other stars, including Alma Taylor, Ivy Close and Violet Hopson, also played parts in recruiting films for the Land Girls, which make fascinating to compare with similar drives during the Second World War.
This collection is generously supported by the Charles Skey Charitable Trust.
Nelson; The Story of England's Immortal Naval HeroNelson; The Story of England's Immortal Naval Hero
Biopic 1918 126 minsSilent
Morale-boosting exploits intended to inspire war-weary citizens.
Trips and Tribunals (The Blunders of Mr. Butterbun)Trips and Tribunals (The Blunders of Mr. Butterbun)
Comedy 1918 25 minsSilent
Mr Butterbun presides over a tribunal dealing with cases of men presenting excuses to avoid the First World War draft.
Women's Work in WartimeWomen's Work in Wartime
Documentary 1918 8 minsSilent
Who wears the trousers while the men are at war? The women of Britain, who pick up a surprisingly wide range of jobs
Battle Front in BritainBattle Front in Britain
Documentary 1918 24 minsSilent
Growing potatoes in Green Park plus some handy uses for your old tin cans β itβs all part of the war effort on the home front.
Scenes of the First World WarScenes of the First World War
Documentary 1918 5 minsSilent
Dramatic footage of Italian and British troops on the front line and airborne.
Australian Troops at the PyramidsAustralian Troops at the Pyramids
Non-Fiction 1918 1 minsSilent
Shades of epic cinema as soldiers roam around the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza
Adam BedeAdam Bede
Melodrama 1918 10 minsSilent
The surviving reel of what seems like an action-packed adaptation of George Eliotβs 1859 debut novel.
Victory and PeaceVictory and Peace
Government sponsored film 1918 16 minsSilent
One reel of a feature about a German invasion of Britain.
Some War-time Types: The W.L.A. GirlSome War-time Types: The W.L.A. Girl
Documentary 1918 2 minsSilent
Rural bliss down on the farm for a happy recruit to the Women's Land Army
Notts Women's Great War RallyNotts Women's Great War Rally
Non-Fiction 1918 1 minsSilent
The capable women doing men's work on Nottinghamshire's farms attract a crowd - and perhaps some new recruits
Women Farm WorkersWomen Farm Workers
1918 1 minsSilent
These Land Girls are firm friends - and just as good at farm work as the men they replaced during WWI
Swan Upping on the Thames Swan Upping on the Thames
Non-Fiction 1918 1 minsSilent Location: River Thames
The tricky task of tracking London's swans.
Airship Leaves Hangar and Starts a FlightAirship Leaves Hangar and Starts a Flight
1918 3 minsSilent
A military airship of the S.S.T. series is pulled out of a hangar and prepared for take-off.
Rilka: Or The Gypsy QueenRilka: Or The Gypsy Queen
Romance 1918 59 minsSilent
A soldier scarred by torture at the hands of African natives is rescued by a gypsy
World's Largest PhotographWorld's Largest Photograph
Non-Fiction 1918 1 minsSilent
Shot, blown up and stitched back together, wartimeβs biggest and most colourful piece of propaganda is squeezed into Mayfair in this 1918 newsreel.
Home Coming of the BedfordsHome Coming of the Bedfords
1918 4 minsSilent
A heroesβ welcome for the Bedford regiment in their own hometown.
Surrender of the German FleetSurrender of the German Fleet
Non-Fiction 1918 15 minsSilent Location: Rosyth
The surrender of the German fleet at the end of WW1 and the visit of King George V and the Prince of Wales to USS New York at Rosyth.
KnocknagowKnocknagow
Melodrama 1918 90 minsSilent
One of the first Irish feature films, a heartwarming tale of Tipperary folk set during the land clearances of the 1840s
Smallcombe Film CompilationSmallcombe Film Compilation
Amateur film 1918 21 minsSilent
An unidentified β and intriguing β anthology of early amateur film.
Allotment Holder's EnemiesAllotment Holder's Enemies
Advert 1918 5 minsSilent
An instructional film offering tips on how to get rid of greenfly, caterpillars, snails, slugs, moths and sparrows.
Buckingham Palace AllotmentBuckingham Palace Allotment
Non-Fiction 1918 1 minsSilent
Who knew George V was growing vegetables in his back yard?
Helping the Food Controller in 1000 Home Gardens at BournvilleHelping the Food Controller in 1000 Home Gardens at Bournville
1918 6 minsSilent
Self-sufficiency in a Midlands garden suburb supports national resilience during WWI
General Allenby's Entry into JerusalemGeneral Allenby's Entry into Jerusalem
Government sponsored film 1918 5 minsSilent
A legend in the making: the first film glimpse of the man who would become Lawrence of Arabia
E.R. Calthrop's Patent Safety Guardian Angel Parachute: Tests and DemE.R. Calthrop's Patent Safety Guardian Angel Parachute: Tests and Dem
1918 14 minsSilent
Brave Royal Flying Corps (later RAF) pilots put early parachute designs to the test. Itβs hair-raising stuff!
Parachute Descent from an AirshipParachute Descent from an Airship
1918 1 minsSilent
Parachute experiments shot from a birdβs-eye-view.
British Naval Activities after the Great British Victory of JutlandBritish Naval Activities after the Great British Victory of Jutland
1918 16 minsSilent
Even HMS Victory makes a cameo in a propaganda piece made after the British Navyβs bloodiest day of WWI.
The SecretThe Secret
Government sponsored film 1918 2 minsSilent
Covert operations on the home front find solutions to shortages just next door
Life at Iwerne Minster in Wartime, August 7th & 8th 1918.Life at Iwerne Minster in Wartime, August 7th & 8th 1918.
Documentary 1918 18 minsSilent Location: Iwerne Minster
These vignettes of village life during WWI in Iwerne Minster, Dorset, are testament to the industriousness of its inhabitants.
Royal Visit to Messrs. Horrockses FactoryRoyal Visit to Messrs. Horrockses Factory
1913 3 minsSilent Location: Preston
Red letter day in Preston
Surrender of the German High Seas FleetSurrender of the German High Seas Fleet
Non-Fiction 1918 1 minsSilent Location: Isle of May
Dramatic aerial footage of the German surrender captured by the RAF.
Against the GrainAgainst the Grain
Government sponsored film 1918 2 minsSilent
Defence of the realm diverts cereal feeds from hungry hens and leaves their owners with a dilemma
Rescue Work in No Man's LandRescue Work in No Man's Land
Non-Fiction 1918 1 minsSilent
The heroic dogs trained to aid wounded WWI soldiers caught between the lines.
The Warrior's May QueenThe Warrior's May Queen
Non-Fiction 1918 1 minsSilent
May I shake your hand, ma'am? Back in Blighty, a soldier finds the proper way to address a queen
Deliverance of Lille by Haig's MenDeliverance of Lille by Haig's Men
Non-Fiction 1918 2 minsSilent
Bashful British soldiers are mobbed by French citizens after Lille is freed from the Germans in WWI.
Battle South of ArrasBattle South of Arras
Non-Fiction 1918 2 minsSilent
You can virtually hear the explosions and smell the smoke in this rare close-up of a WWI battlefield.
Camberwell - Dedication of the Borough Mace at the Licensed Victuallers Asylum Chapel, Asylum Road, S.E.Camberwell - Dedication of the Borough Mace at the Licensed Victuallers Asylum Chapel, Asylum Road, S.E.
Non-Fiction 1918 3 minsSilent Location: Camberwell
Mayors, bishops and clergymen march through Camberwell to the asylum, better known today as Caroline Gardens.
Prince Of Wales As MinerPrince Of Wales As Miner
Non-Fiction 1918 1 minsSilent
The future King Edward VIII gets down and dirty on a visit to an Ebbw Vale pit in South Wales
Hoylake and West Kirby's Tribute to Local V.CHoylake and West Kirby's Tribute to Local V.C
1918 10 minsSilent
The people of Hoylake and West Kirby welcome their returning hero Sergeant Cyril Gourley V.C. of the Royal Field Artillery.
Record Breaking RivetersRecord Breaking Riveters
Non-Fiction 1918 0 minsSilent
A little healthy competition in the shipyard β who can fasten the most rivets in a nine-hour stretch?
Pirate Boats at WestminsterPirate Boats at Westminster
Non-Fiction 1918 1 minsSilent
A surrendered German U-boat travels up the Thames
Drocourt-Queant 'Switch Line' StormedDrocourt-Queant 'Switch Line' Stormed
Non-Fiction 1918 1 minsSilent
Northumberland Fusiliers in action.
Cheese Making at HomeCheese Making at Home
Non-Fiction 1918 4 minsSilent
Handy hints for would-be fromagers
Aircraft Film of Lady Sybil GrantAircraft Film of Lady Sybil Grant
1918 38 minsSilent
Life in the Royal Flying Corps. A series of unedited shots give us an insight into the military and social life of the early years of the RAF.
What's the Use of Grumblin'?What's the Use of Grumblin'?
Government sponsored film 1918 3 minsSilent
Mrs Grousinβ-Jones canβt stop complaining about the inconvenience of the war
A Chinese Baby ShowA Chinese Baby Show
Non-Fiction 1918 0 minsSilent
Chinese children toddle to traditional music in this intriguing Gaumont newsreel.
The Leopard's SpotsThe Leopard's Spots
Drama 1918 2 minsSilent
A chilling message for a nation at war: don't trust the enemy, even after the fighting stops
Lady FootballersLady Footballers
Non-Fiction 1918 0 minsSilent Location: Southend-on-Sea
Women munitions workers from the Kynoch and Vickers Maxim factories take to the pitch in Southend during WWI.
Topical Budget 378-1Topical Budget 378-1
Non-Fiction 1918 5 minsSilent Location: Royal Albert Hall
Topical Budget salutes Britain's top brass in this gleefully patriotic newsreel edition, released just weeks after the First World War was won.
Floods at Rhyl, October 1918Floods at Rhyl, October 1918
Non-Fiction 1918 2 minsSilent Location: Rhyl
Having survived the menace of the First World War, Rhyl is assaulted by the watery forces of nature
The Premier at Neath The Premier at Neath
Non-Fiction 1918 4 minsSilent Location: Neath/Castell-Nedd
The sun shines down when PM Lloyd George is in town.
Fallen HeroesFallen Heroes
Non-Fiction 1918 1 minsSilent Location: Hillingdon
A war shrine is unveiled in Hillingdon by one of Britainβs leading wartime politicians
Tank Bank's Tour through ScotlandTank Bank's Tour through Scotland
Non-Fiction 1918 15 minsSilent Location: Glasgow
The 'Tank Bank' tours through Scotland, selling War Bonds, raising money for the war effort and boosting morale
Building and Launch of the "Crepath" at BarnstapleBuilding and Launch of the "Crepath" at Barnstaple
Non-Fiction 1918 5 minsSilent Location: Barnstaple
Barnstaple's experimental concrete-hulled ship gets a visit from a jolly Italian admiral.
Our Glorious Mystery ShipsOur Glorious Mystery Ships
Non-Fiction 1918 1 minsSilent
Q Ship βSuffolk Coastβ, which trapped and sank many U-boats, arrives in the Thames for display in St. Katherineβs Dock.
King George Takes the SaluteKing George Takes the Salute
Non-Fiction 1918 1 minsSilent
American troops march through London and salute King George V in this late-WWI newsreel item
Lewis Gun DrillLewis Gun Drill
1918 6 minsSilent
Essential training. A demonstration of the loading and unloading of a Lewis Gun.
Lewis Gun Care and Cleaning: Part A, Laying out KitLewis Gun Care and Cleaning: Part A, Laying out Kit
1918 4 minsSilent
Drills for Lewis Gun operators, the laying out and inspection of components for a Lewis Gun.
Broken in the WarsBroken in the Wars
Public Information Filler 1918 8 minsSilent
Film pioneer Cecil Hepworth raises awareness of a royal fund to support servicemen wounded in WWI
Give 'em BeansGive 'em Beans
Documentary 1918 2 minsSilent
Take a tip from Canada and feed your hard-working man beans and pork to give him a high-speed productivity boost
A New VersionA New Version
Government sponsored film 1918 2 minsSilent
Idleness is for peacetime. During a war, everybody - and every plot of land - must do their part
Great S.O.S. CampaignGreat S.O.S. Campaign
Non-Fiction 1918 1 minsSilent
Newsreel footage of the great food saver Arthur Yapp speaking in Trafalgar Square during WW1.
War Office Official Topical Budget and Pictorial News 343-1War Office Official Topical Budget and Pictorial News 343-1
Non-Fiction 1918 7 minsSilent
Proud servicemen accept awards for valour in a morale boosting late-war newsreel
Cure for Potato BlightCure for Potato Blight
Gardening show 1918 2 minsSilent
Battling biology with a Burgundy mixture, protecting potatoes by the application of science
Pemberton Billing and the 'Vigilantes'Pemberton Billing and the 'Vigilantes'
1918 12 minsSilent
This curious silent film offers a glimpse inside the mind, and the country home, of a notorious politician and inventor
Freed from Turkish BondageFreed from Turkish Bondage
Non-Fiction 1918 1 minsSilent
βMosque and picturesque scenes in Palestine now occupied by the British" β the Mosque of Omar, or Dome of the Rock, has been βfreedβ by British troops.
Tank 'Julian' in MerthyrTank 'Julian' in Merthyr
Non-Fiction 1918 5 minsSilent Location: Merthyr Tydfil
Julian', a battle-scarred tank, is the toast of Merthyr in June 1918. Spot 3 women without hats in the crowd that greets the monster guest.