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Victoria's New Media Pioneers

Electrical instrument maker, inventor, photographer, chemist, magic lanternist, magician - these were the men who built British film. Among that first generation of filmmakers, there were a few whose ambition, ingenuity and business acumen lifted them above the rest. And even if today's filmmakers may not always recognise it, they tread in the footsteps of these intrepid pioneers.

R.W. Paul (1869 - 1943)

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Sea Cave near LisbonSea Cave near Lisbon

18960 minsSilent

Breath-taking view of waves breaking at the mouth of the Boca do Inferno.

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Rough Sea at DoverRough Sea at Dover

Non-Fiction18950 minsSilent

Waves crash onto a jetty on the Kentish shoreline in one of Britain's earliest surviving films

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Two A.M.; Or, The Husband's ReturnTwo A.M.; Or, The Husband's Return

Comedy18961 minsSilent

A drunken spouse gets his just desserts in a timeless scene

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Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Front of ProcessionQueen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Front of Procession

18971 minsSilent

Carriages full of well-heeled guests continue in Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee procession, filmed for RW Paul.

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Launch of H.M.S. AlbionLaunch of H.M.S. Albion

Non-Fiction18982 minsSilent Location: Blackwall

The launch of H.M.S Albion, which was marred by the collapse of a gangway which resulted in many spectators drowning.

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Comic Costume RaceComic Costume Race

Non-Fiction18961 minsSilent

Plenty of laughs to be had as these Victorian clowns attempt to run a charity race - if they can get their wigs on

Birt Acres (1854-1918)

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FootpadsFootpads

Crime18961 minsSilent

A simple special effect enlivens an early crime film

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Opening of the Kiel CanalOpening of the Kiel Canal

Non-Fiction18950 minsSilent

This was one of a series of actuality films made by the Victorian pioneer Birt Acres during 1895. The film is thought to have been shot on the occasion of the opening of the Kiel Canal by the German Kaiser Wilhelm II.

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The Derby 1895The Derby 1895

Non-Fiction18951 minsSilent

An exciting finish suggests that this is one of the very earliest British films

G.A. Smith (1864-1959)

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As Seen through a TelescopeAs Seen through a Telescope

Comedy19001 minsSilent

A peeping Tom gets a shocking glimpse of stocking in this early take on film voyeurism.

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The Kiss in the TunnelThe Kiss in the Tunnel

Comedy18992 minsSilent

A snatched kiss in a railway tunnel, played by real-life married couple GA Smith and Laura Bayley

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The Miller and the SweepThe Miller and the Sweep

Comedy18971 minsSilent

A battle of soot versus flour

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Grandma's Reading GlassGrandma's Reading Glass

Trick film19001 minsSilent

A boy examines things through his Grandmother’s magnifying glass, and early film takes a huge step forward.

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Comic Faces - Old Man Drinking a Glass of BeerComic Faces - Old Man Drinking a Glass of Beer

Comedy18971 minsSilent

How many faces can one man pull while drinking one glass of beer? Far more than you might think

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The House That Jack BuiltThe House That Jack Built

Comedy19001 minsSilent

All's well that ends well - which is exactly what happens when movie magic undoes a boy's wanton vandalism

James Williamson (1855-1933)

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The Big SwallowThe Big Swallow

Comedy19011 minsSilent

A classic early film gag - and a big leap forward for a fast-evolving new art

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Washing the SweepWashing the Sweep

Comedy18981 minsSilent

A washerwoman's work is never done - especially when there's a drunken chimney sweep at large...

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Are You There?Are You There?

Comedy19011 minsSilent

Innovative early film, which invents its own 'split-screen' effect

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Fire!Fire!

Drama19015 minsSilent

A dramatic rescue from a burning building by heroic firemen is one of our most important films

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The Puzzled Bather and His Animated ClothesThe Puzzled Bather and His Animated Clothes

Trick film19011 minsSilent

An entertaining early film 'trick'

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Attack on a China Mission - Bluejackets to the RescueAttack on a China Mission - Bluejackets to the Rescue

War19001 minsSilent Location: Brighton

Fictional treatment of a contemporary atrocity story from the 1900 Boxer rebellion in China.

WKL Dickson (1860-1930)

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Me and My Two FriendsMe and My Two Friends

18980 minsSilent Location: Worthing

A beatific image of Victorian childhood

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Herbert Campbell As Little BobbyHerbert Campbell As Little Bobby

Comedy18991 minsSilent

A not-so-little variety star shows off his appetite

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Launch of the Worthing Lifeboat Coming AshoreLaunch of the Worthing Lifeboat Coming Ashore

Documentary18981 minsSilent Location: Worthing

Stunning footage of a lifesaving demonstration

Walter Booth (1969-1938)

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Railway CollisionRailway Collision

Drama19001 minsSilent

An impressive early film special effect

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Waif and the Wizard; or, The Home Made HappyWaif and the Wizard; or, The Home Made Happy

Trick film19012 minsSilent

A boy asks a magician to entertain his sick sister in this edition of RW Paul’s Sentimental Songs with Animated Illustrations.