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English films from the 1900s
The best 100 of 232
- 1
The '?' Motorist
A magical glowing white motorcar ignores policemen, drives up buildings, flies through outer space, and can transform into a horse and carriage.
- 2
The Enchanted Drawing
A cartoonist defies reality when he draws objects that become three-dimensional after he lifts them off his sketch pad.
- 3
Panorama of the Paris Exposition, from the Seine
This panoramic scene is taken from a Seine steamboat and gives a rapid view of the banks of the river...
- 4
A Visit to the Seaside
The first successful motion picture in natural color, filmed with Kinemacolor. It is an 8 minute short film directed by George Albert Smith of Brighton, showing people doing everyday activities. It is ranked of high historical importance. Kinemacolor later influenced and replaced by Technicolor, which was used from 1916 to 1952.
- 5
The Dog Outwits the Kidnapper
Dog Rover, from Rescued by Rover fame, chases a kidnapper's car and while he is in a pub, drives it safely home and thus saves the baby.
- 6
Messrs Lumb and Co Leaving the Works, Huddersfield
Yet another factory gate exit film from Mitchell and Kenyon.
- 7
The Little Match Seller
A short melodrama based on Hans Christian Andersen's harrowing tale. A poor little girl tries to sell matchsticks in the freezing December cold. She lights matches for some light and warmth. There are visions: a fireplace, dinner, a Christmas tree. She sees her dead mother, welcoming her.
- 8
Tram Ride Into Halifax
A breathtaking winter journey in the Pennines, from country to town and back again via electric tram.
- 9
Living Wigan
A lively crowd surround the camera filming a tram leaving Wigan Market Place.
- 10
Morecambe Church Lads' Brigade at Drill
Larking about during Church Lads' Brigade drill and parade in Morecambe.
- 11
Whitsuntide Fair at Preston
All the fun of the Whitsuntide Fair in Edwardian Preston.
- 12
- 13
Electric Tram Rides from Forster Square, Bradford
An epic tour of the places and people of Edwardian Bradford.
- 14
Sheffield United v Bury
Sparkling images of fans and players at an Edwardian fixture at Sheffield's Bramall Lane.
- 15
Audley Range School, Blackburn
Lancashire children perform physical education exercises in (almost) perfect unison.
- 16
The Seven Ages
A couple who have known each other all of their lives are shown together at different stages of life. First, as children, they play together affectionately. Soon afterwards, they are at school together, and as they grow older, they become lovers. Later on, their relationship and their lives move on to more important matters.
- 17
University Procession on Degree Day, Birmingham
Female graduates and gents sporting spectacular Edwardian whiskers take part in Birmingham’s first Degree Day ceremony.
- 18
Alfred Butterworth and Sons, Glebe Mills, Hollinwood
A flood of Lancashire cotton workers and their children at the end of another shift.
- 19
Manchester Street Scene
A rare glimpse of early Edwardian Manchester when the horse-drawn tram still reigned supreme.
- 20
Burnley v Manchester United
Believed to be the first film that features Manchester United in their first season as 'Manchester United', rather than 'Newton Heath' as they were known at the time.
- 21
How the Office Boy Saw the Ball Game
An office boy plays hooky from work so he can watch a ballgame perched high atop a telephone pole. Includes footage of an actual baseball game as if seen through a telescope.
- 22
Tapping a Furnace
A large bucket is lowered into a pit by male workers using machinery. Molten material from a furnace is poured into the bucket using a slide. The bucket, which has flames coming from inside, is lifted up from the pit by a crane.
- 23
- 24
Panorama Exterior Westinghouse Works
The view from a moving train shows some of the Westinghouse interests and the surrounding areas.
- 25
Parkgate Iron and Steel Co., Rotherham
Edwardian workers react to the camera at one of Rotherham's major employers.
- 26
Welding the Big Ring
A group of men weld one area of a large ring in a fire. They lift the ring, which is hanging horizontally on chains, out of the fire. Four men hammer the hot area on the ring into shape while the remaining men hold the ring. They put the ring into the fire again, take it out, and take it over to a machine which continuously hammers down on that area of the ring. The men then take it away from the machine and hammer it themselves into shape. The ring is presumably a piece of a generator.
- 27
Miners Leaving Pendlebury Colliery
A group of miners (including a sole black worker) exits the colliery gates.
- 28
Two Memories
Henry and Marion have a lover's quarrel and part in anger. They do not reconcile, and ten years pass without contact. Marion becomes a society girl and spends her time at parties with her friends. Henry has become very ill and wishes to see Marion one more time. He writes asking her to visit. When she recieves the note, she laughs and tosses it on the floor, but, later, on a whim, decides to take all her drunken friends with her to visit him. When they arrive, Marion finds Henry dead, clutching her portrait in his hand. She sends her friends away and falls to her knees in remorse. Mary Pickford's debut!
- 29
Westinghouse Air Brake Co. (Moulding Scene)
Men working in teams carry buckets of molten material and pour the material into what appear to be molds lined up on the ground.
- 30
The Strenuous Life; or, Anti-Race Suicide
A married couple faces the demands of what Theodore Roosevelt called 'the strenuous life'.
- 31
Her First Adventure
A father arrives home, greets his wife and daughter, and then goes inside with his wife. Though they are only inside for a brief time, their daughter wanders off, attracted by the music from a pair of gypsies performing in the street. When the gypsies move on, they take the young girl with her. As soon as the parents realize that their daughter is gone, they begin a frantic search, assisted by the family's loyal dog.
- 32
Is Spiritualism a Fraud? – The Medium Exposed
Men expose a fake medium's tricks and take revenge.
- 33
Casting a Guide Box
A large bucket full of molten material is poured into a large container, possibly a mold, by a group of men using machinery. Some other men stoke the fire under the container. When finished pouring, the men lift the bucket up from the container and take it away on a crane. Two men put prods down repeatedly into the container, while others lay covers on top of it.
- 34
- 35
Westinghouse Works
Billy Bitzer filmed 21 short actualities inside the Pittsburgh Westinghouse Works in April and May of 1904. Audiences of the day would have been treated to footage of factory panoramas, women winding armatures and turbines being assembled. These industrial films were produced for the American Mutoscope & Biograph Company.
- 36
A Winter Straw Ride
Two groups of young women get into a pair of horse-drawn carts, and go off for a straw ride through the snowy streets. As they pass by a group of children, the children throw snowballs at the riders, and they and other persons begin to join in the fun. Then one of the carts tips on its side, spilling some of its occupants into the snow. Everyone soon decides that they enjoy playing in the snow even more than riding.
- 37
Panoramic View of the Morecambe Sea Front
One long traveling shot through a sea front lined with tourists, workers, and sundry others.
- 38
Mr. Flip
Mr. Flip flirts with every woman he sees, and ends up with a pie, shaving cream, and seltzer in his face.
- 39
The Golden Louis
An anonymous donor drops a gold coin in the shoe of a homeless girl as she sleeps. A gambler with a 'sure thing' borrows the coin and wins a fortune, but he can't find her again to repay her.
- 40
- 41
Buy Your Own Cherries
A barmaid plies a swell with smiles and with cherries from a box that's just been delivered. When she refuses a cherry to a roughly-dressed tradesman who runs a tab at the bar, he pays off his debt in a huff, using all his week's pay. He then storms penniless and without provisions into his ill-furnished house where his wife and two children, ill-clad and ill-fed, cower. Is there any hope for him and for his family? If he does realize how low he's sunk, what help is there to lift him up? Will the family ever know the taste of cherries?
- 42
The Death of Poor Joe
A scene from Charles Dickens' Bleak House. Despite the common belief, this is NOT the world's first Dickens' adaptation in cinema.
- 43
Edgar Allen Poe
As Poe's lover is slowly dying, he struggles to make money to care for her.
- 44
President McKinley and Escort Going to the Capitol
Cavalry and foot-soldiers escort President McKinley.
- 45
Alice in Wonderland
This is the first movie version of the famous story. Alice dozes in a garden, awakened by a dithering white rabbit in waistcoat with pocket watch. She follows him down a hole and finds herself in a hall of many doors.
- 46
Execution of Czolgosz with Panorama of Auburn Prison
This early docudrama shows Auburn Prison and recreates the electrocution of Leon Czolgosz, the assassin of President McKinley of the United States.
- 47
Newcastle United v Liverpool
An Edwardian football match at Newcastle's St James' Park ground.
- 48
Rotherham Town v Thornhill
A ropey pitch and worse goalkeeping in a typical non-league football derby in Edwardian Yorkshire.
- 49
A Native Street in India
Early film of a crowded street scene in an unidentified Indian city.
- 50
The Great City Fire
Firemen are awakened by an alarm, drive through London and rescue fire victims.
- 51
Nankin Road, Shanghai
This is an extraordinary window on to the heart of cosmopolitan Shanghai, over a hundred years ago, featuring a Nanjing Road bustling with crowds of Chinese, Sikhs and Europeans. It is the only known surviving example of the film reportage shot by British war correspondent Joe Rosenthal during his coverage of the Boxer Rebellion in China between 1900 and 1901.
- 52
Salford v Batley
Batley go down to Lancashire rivals Salford in the very first season of the Northern Rugby League.
- 53
Everton v Liverpool
The earliest surviving Merseyside derby on film catches two of Everton's goals in a 3-1 home win.
- 54
Rochdale Tram Ride
Splendid views of Edwardian Rochdale from the front of a tram after a recent dusting of snow.
- 55
The World's First Caterpillar Track
A demonstration by the R. Hornsby engineering company of Grantham of a revolutionary all-terrain vehicle.
- 56
President McKinley Inauguration Footage
Original President McKinley Inauguration Footage from 1901.
- 57
- 58
Edward VII's Coronation
Film of Edward VII's coronation. Appears on the BFI DVD "A Royal Occasion".
- 59
Tram Rides through Nottingham
This fascinating record of Edwardian Nottingham was filmed from the driver's platform of a tram on a single journey through the city centre between its two main stations. The sequence follows the same route as today's Nottingham Express Transit tramway, taking the viewer along Listergate and Wheelergate into Old Market Square before turning right into Long Row and on into Queen Street.
- 60
- 61
Blackpool North Pier
Edwardian holidaymakers throng to the attractions at Lancashire's premier seaside resort.
- 62
Waiting at the Church
An early sound film of Vesta Victoria singing the titular song, which was very popular in its day.
- 63
Bradford City v Gainsborough Trinity
Bradford City's first ever home league game after switching from rugby league football to association football in 1903.
- 64
Cunard Vessel at Liverpool
Evocative film of the passengers and crew of a ship docked at Liverpool.
- 65
State Entry into Delhi of Lord Curzon, the Viceroy
Film showing the Viceregal party entering Delhi on lavishly decorated elephants, as part of the Coronation durbar of 1903.
- 66
Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
The only known moving-image footage of the author, filmed at his home, Stormfield, in Redding, Connecticut. The silent short shows Twain walking about his estate, relaxing indoors with his daughters Clara and Jean. No known voice recording survives. Part of this footage has been associated with Edison’s The Prince and the Pauper (1909). Although Thomas Edison has sometimes been mistakenly named as director, he was never credited as director on any films; the actual director of this short is unknown.
- 67
North Sea Fisheries, North Shields
Girls gut herring on the quay at North Shields while a Showman tries to stir up trouble.
- 68
Preston North End v Wolverhampton Wanderers
The Lillywhites take on the Wolves at Deepdale, watched by a large crowd and the club mascot.
- 69
Olympic Games at Athens
This early film offers a snapshot of what became known as the Interim (or Intercalated) Games of 1906. Having hosted the first modern Games in 1896, Athens felt that it should be the permanent venue, but the International Olympic Committee disagreed, wanting the event held in different cities around the world. The compromise was this separate event, to be held in Athens between the official Games every four years.
- 70
Preston Egg Rolling
Thousands of people got together on Easter Monday for the traditional egg rolling.
- 71
Wexford Bull Ring
This film is part of the Mitchell and Kenyon collection - an amazing visual record of everyday life in Britain at the beginning of the twentieth century.
- 72
Hunslet v Leeds
A less-than-serious Leeds team take a four-goals-and-two-tries battering from Hunslet.
- 73
Panorama of Ealing from a Moving Tram
A camera sits on top of a moving train, providing a panoramic view of Ealing (western London) as the train moves.
- 74
Notts County v. Middlesbrough
The game is held up for the camera to do a full tour of the cheering crowds at Trent Bridge, Notts County's home until 1910.
- 75
Santos Dumont Explaining His Air Ship to the Hon. C.S. Rolls
A short documentary registering the meeting between two aviation pioneers: the Brazilian Santos Dumont and the Briton Charles Rolls. In it, Dumont presents his ideas for a future balloon, showing to Rolls the concept of such invention and the project with his notes, all of which the other man delightfully enjoys.
- 76
Blackburn Rovers v Aston Villa
The entry of the teams and action from both halves of an Edwardian football game at Ewood Park.
- 77
20,000 Employees Entering Lord Armstrong's Elswick Works, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
This film is part of the Mitchell and Kenyon collection - an amazing visual record of everyday life in Britain at the beginning of the twentieth century.
- 78
TR in San Francisco, 1903
The following is a scene-by-scene description of the film: The camera was positioned on the southeast corner of O'Farrell Street and Van Ness Avenue, and pans from north to west to south, and then back to west. [Frame: 0100] The view is north on Van Ness Avenue toward the approaching band and cavalry. Students of Whittier School are in the foreground. [0604] The band passing at left is led by conductor Paul Steindorff. [0900] Following the band are the Cleveland Grays, a noted black cavalry troop, led by Captain Young, the first black graduate of West Point. [1398] After a cut in the continuity of the film, the President's carriage approaches along the west side of the avenue.
- 79
Procession of Elephants with Howdahs - India
An elephantine spectacle, likely part of the celebrations for the visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to India.
- 80
Princeton and Yale Football Game
First is shown a fine panoramic view of the grandstand at the Yale field, showing the enormous gathering of football enthusiasts who have come from far and near to witness the giants struggle for the collegiate championship.
- 81
Tynemouth Swimming Gala in the Haven, North Shields
Edwardian crowds enjoy a fancy-dress swimming race.
- 82
Day School Sports at Park Avenue, Bradford
Barrels of laughs and sackfuls of fun at a school sports event in Edwardian West Yorkshire.
- 83
Sunderland v Leicester Fosse
A resounding win for Sunderland in the FA Cup, urged on by an enthusiastic band.
- 84
West Shore Local
The view from the pilot of an Ulster and Delaware locomotive pulling out of Kingston Union Station through Kingston, NY, in 1906.
- 85
Buxton Skyline
A striking panorama of the Peak District town and its magnificent Georgian Crescent.
- 86
Halifax Catholic Procession
A Mitchell & Kenyon actuality depicting the northern folk of Halifax, dressed in their Sunday best to witness and participate in a Catholic procession.
- 87
- 88
Special March Past of St. Joseph's Scholars and Special Parade of St. Matthew's Pupils, Blackburn
A short documentary of mild curiosity value showing a group of Blackburn school children passing before the camera.
- 89
Get Me a Step-Ladder
An old man attempts to hang a picture on the wall and asks for a step-ladder. His assistant takes a little too long to get it to him.
- 90
Salvation Army Parade in Indian Village No.2
Salvation Army General Commissioner Edward Higgins features in the this film of a brass band parade through a village.
- 91
Opening Ceremonies, New York Subway, October 27, 1904
People on street outside bunting draped building. VIP's out & photographers take pictures. Park & subway entrance. Old bobby helmets on police as VIP's into subway. Pan over waving people with trolley behind and carriage. Appears to be near city hall. Pan inside sideway. People walking out including well-dressed women. Subway past camera left to right. Ceremony. Subway opening.
- 92
- 93
Salvation Army Parade in Indian Village - No.1
Actuality film showing a busy Salvation Army parade in a rural village under the British Raj.
- 94
Lord Roberts' Visit to Manchester
This is a news actuality film of the former Commander in Chief of the Boer War, Lord Roberts, visiting Manchester to much hoopla.
- 95
- 96
Manchester to Blackpool Road Race
Over a hundred Edwardian athletes gather for a gruelling walking race.
- 97
Bolton v Burton United
Bolton Wanderers overpower the shortlived Burton United at Burnden Park under rainy skies.
- 98
A Dash to the North Pole
This film footage of the Ziegler North Pole expedition was reissued in Britain by Charles Urban in 1909 when all things Polar were of almost obsessive interest to the British film-going public.
- 99
Oldham v Swinton
The evolution of Rugby League in a top of the table match between rival Lancashire clubs.
- 100
Opening of the Drill Hall in Accrington by General Baden-Powell
It shows General Baden-Powell, hero of the Anglo-Boer war, and his family visiting Accrington.