This film is part of Free
Lord Charles Beresford in France
A military legend on location, and some vertiginous thrills from a balloon.
Overview
It might be wartime, but these Allied troops look surprisingly cheerful. But then, this film has been "approved and censored", so perhaps that explains it. Or perhaps it's thanks to the visiting 'Charlie B', a popular former admiral and MP. Later on, an observation balloon - similar to a defensive blimp - is raised, and an intrepid cameraman shoots some terrific landscapes on board.
This wasn't the only report from frontline France with which Charles Urban's name was associated in 1916: the feature-length The Battle of the Somme, which Urban edited, was arguably the filmmaker's finest hour. In these relatively relaxed scenes, though, the conflict seems fairly distant. This silent footage may not have recorded the fanfare of the military band which heralds Beresford's visit, but clearly the presence of this Victorian military hero was a cause for excitement. Even the thrill of the hot air balloon (and the intriguing inflator contraption which goes with it) aren't allowed to overshadow him.
Related
Shower Baths in the Trenches Shower Baths in the Trenches
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins
A humble scrub is all it takes to get these French troops in a lather.
Airship No. 9 Airship No. 9
Non-Fiction 1916 14 mins Silent Location: Walney Island
The maiden flight of Britain's first successful rigid airship – just don’t call it a zeppelin…
The Scarecrow The Scarecrow
Comedy 1916 12 mins Silent
A tramp steals the clothes from a scarecrow, but when he realises two couples are using its pockets to pass messages, he sees an opportunity.
Tubby's Typewriter Tubby's Typewriter
Comedy 1916 11 mins Silent
Newlywed Tubby fancies another man's typewriter and ends up in hot water with his new wife
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.
Industrial Sidelights Industrial Sidelights
Interest film 1916 7 mins Silent
Goat farming, salmon farming and copper mining all feature in this enlightening oddity.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.