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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)
Sea Cave near LisbonSea Cave near Lisbon
18960 minsSilent
Breath-taking view of waves breaking at the mouth of the Boca do Inferno.
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
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
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.
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.
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)
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.
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)
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.
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
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.
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
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)
The Big SwallowThe Big Swallow
Comedy19011 minsSilent
A classic early film gag - and a big leap forward for a fast-evolving new art
Washing the SweepWashing the Sweep
Comedy18981 minsSilent
A washerwoman's work is never done - especially when there's a drunken chimney sweep at large...
Are You There?Are You There?
Comedy19011 minsSilent
Innovative early film, which invents its own 'split-screen' effect
Fire!Fire!
Drama19015 minsSilent
A dramatic rescue from a burning building by heroic firemen is one of our most important films
The Puzzled Bather and His Animated ClothesThe Puzzled Bather and His Animated Clothes
Trick film19011 minsSilent
An entertaining early film 'trick'
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)
Me and My Two FriendsMe and My Two Friends
18980 minsSilent Location: Worthing
A beatific image of Victorian childhood
Herbert Campbell As Little BobbyHerbert Campbell As Little Bobby
Comedy18991 minsSilent
A not-so-little variety star shows off his appetite
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)
Undressing Extraordinary; Or, The Troubles of a Tired TravellerUndressing Extraordinary; Or, The Troubles of a Tired Traveller
Trick film19012 minsSilent
Entertaining example of early 'special effects'
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.