This film is part of Free
Mass Meeting of Suffragettes
Votes for Women protesters swamp Trafalgar Square, brandishing placards and petitions.
Overview
This two-shot newsreel fragment surveys the scene at a Votes for Women protest on Trafalgar Square in the summer of 1910, when suffragists of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies presented petitions signed by supportive menfolk of Britain's towns and cities.
While it's ostensibly a piece of non-partisan film journalism, it's probably no accident that the newsreel company - Pathé Frères - chose to brand these peaceful campaigners 'suffragettes' (a label coined for activists from the more militant Women's Social and Political Union) and so bring a touch of sensationalism to their reporting.
Related
Miss Davison's Funeral Miss Davison's Funeral
Non-Fiction 1913 2 mins Silent Location: Bloomsbury
The funeral procession of suffragette Emily Davison - fatally injured at the Epsom Derby - passes through London to her final resting place in Morpeth.
Suffragette Derby of 1913 Suffragette Derby of 1913
Non-Fiction 1913 5 mins Silent Location: Epsom
A momentous act of self sacrifice is caught on camera - Emily Davison is trampled by the King's horse at the 1913 Epsom Derby.
Suffragettes Again Suffragettes Again
Non-Fiction 1913 1 mins Silent
Incendiary images from Plymouth, at the sharp end of the campaign for women's votes.
Milling the Militants; A Comical Absurdity Milling the Militants; A Comical Absurdity
Comedy 1913 7 mins Silent
Left with the kids while his wife campaigns for women's votes, an aggrieved husband dreams of punishing all suffragettes.
Meet the Suffragettes: The Original Media-Disruptors Meet the Suffragettes: The Original Media-Disruptors
Short documentary 2015 10 mins
BFI's silent film curator, Bryony Dixon, explores the BFI National Archive's holdings around women's suffrage.
Palace Pandemonium Palace Pandemonium
Non-Fiction 1914 1 mins Silent Location: Buckingham Palace
The campaign for women's suffrage steps up as Emmeline Pankhurst is arrested at the gates of Buckingham Palace.
Trafalgar Day London 1900 Trafalgar Day London 1900
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Location: Trafalgar Square
With the Boer War raging 1,000s of miles away, Victorian Londoners pay tribute to the military
Out of Chaos Out of Chaos
Documentary 1944 27 mins Location: Trafalgar Square
"Why in the height of a world war, should there be this terrific interest in painting?"
Trafalgar Square Riot Trafalgar Square Riot
Non-Fiction 1913 1 mins Silent Location: Trafalgar Square
A suffragette demonstration led by Sylvia Pankhurst ends in chaos as police prevent a march on Downing Street.
London Street Scenes - Trafalgar Square London Street Scenes - Trafalgar Square
Non-Fiction 1910 1 mins Silent Location: Trafalgar Square
Spot the changes and continuities in this majestic Edwardian panorama of Trafalgar Square.
London as the 'City of Dreadful Night' London as the 'City of Dreadful Night'
Non-Fiction 1924 0 mins Silent Location: Trafalgar Square
Experience the dinge and gloom of the smog shrouding London's Trafalgar Square in the 1920s.
Aldermaston Aldermaston
Amateur film 1962 25 mins Silent Location: Aldermaston
A fascinating record of the 1962 Aldermaston March featuring Canon John Collins, Michael Foot and thousands of marchers of all ages.
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.