This film is part of Free
Band Marching down a Street
A uniformed marching band takes to the street in this early film by pioneer cinematographer Birt Acres
Overview
This is one of the surviving actuality shorts that pioneering cinematographer Birt Acres made in the mid-1890s, featuring a shot of a marching band passing down a street, seen from a fixed camera position. The middle of the picture is badly out of focus, but as the faces of the soldiers reach the right of the frame they spring into sharp relief.
This film is also known as Tommies on the March, and possibly Church Parade of Troops (it appears to fit historian John Barnes' description of a film of that title).
Related
A Corner of Barnet Fair A Corner of Barnet Fair
Non-Fiction 1896 2 mins Silent Location: Barnet
Two for the price of one! Two items were joined together on this reel, discovered among a small haul of early films and fragments discovered and donated to the BFI in the 1990s. The first is believed to be Birt Acres' A Corner of Barnet Fair.
London cinemas and an Open Day at Ealing Studios London cinemas and an Open Day at Ealing Studios
Amateur film 1989 6 mins Location: Barnet
Relive over 70 years of film making as the BBC throws open its doors at Ealing Studios for a nostalgic exhibition which features cameras, actors, jazzy wigs and a Dalek
Change in Friern Barnet Change in Friern Barnet
Amateur film 1970 20 mins Silent Location: Barnet
Tour Friern Barnet and explore the streets, local happenings and developments in an area undergoing rapid change
Brunswick Bridge Brunswick Bridge
Amateur film 1970 11 mins Silent Location: Barnet
Bridge building on the busy streets of London as the construction of Brunswick Bridge in Barnet is captured for posterity
Around Barnet Around Barnet
Amateur film 1984 9 mins Silent Location: Barnet
An amateur recording of social housing developments, local streets and businesses in Friern, Barnet.
St. John's School St. John's School
Amateur film 1983 4 mins Silent Location: Barnet
Celebrate founder's day with the students of Friern Barnet Grammar School
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.