This film is part of Free
Caterpillar Tractors Pull Gun Carriages
New Zealand artillery troops might not have to pull their big guns, but they are in for a bumpy ride
Overview
Continuous track haulers clearly had great military benefits for towing heavy artillery over difficult terrain. Developed for farming in peacetime, the American-made Holt tractors were used in their thousands by Allied troops. These soldiers have been identified as New Zealand servicemen, and clues from the film stock itself put the date around 1916. It likely that this piece was filmed in Egypt for use in newsreels.
There is something about the men's posture - sitting straight-backed on the trailers with arms crossed - that suggests they have been asked to pose this way for the cameras. They are struggling against the natural instinct to hold on for dear life as they are tossed back and forth by the tractors' rumbling movement over uneven ground.
Related
Preston North End Football Club at Deepdale Preston North End Football Club at Deepdale
1916 8 mins Silent
Preston North End play Liverpool (probably) in a regional football competition during WWI.
Cats on the Hearth Cats on the Hearth
Public Information Filler 1957 9 mins
Lovers of cute cats will lap up this RSPCA film, about how to make friends with your feline
Rover Makes Good Rover Makes Good
Children's 1952 16 mins Location: Callington
A rascally sheepdog redeems himself when he goes to the rescue of two children trapped in an old Cornish tin mine
Charley in New Town Charley in New Town
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1948 8 mins
Charley says (no, not that one) that Britain’s new towns are great
The History of Grease The History of Grease
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1982 6 mins
Grease is the word in this comic sponsored short for lubricant products that is literally filled with monkey business
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.