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Munitions workers down tools, weeks before Britain enters WWI.
Non-Fiction 1914 1 mins Silent
Just weeks before Britain entered WWI, thousands of munitions workers went on strike at Woolwich Arsenal - a major site of armaments manufacture. Characteristically, the British press were quick to lampoon the strikers. But, whatever their grievances, the jovial cloth-capped workers in this Topical Budget newsreel item show no sign or rowdiness or rioting - even the policemen are smiling.
The cause of the strike was a dispute around the Arsenal’s use of non-union labour. A few days after this film's release, The Spectator magazine disapprovingly reported the "sudden surrender of the Prime Minister (Herbert Asquith) to the demands of the strikers." Topical Budget's coverage of the Woolwich walk-out (probably choreographed for the camera) makes an interesting counterpoint to the common 'factory gate' film, as perfected by Blackburn-based filmmakers Mitchell and Kenyon.
Comedy 1914 14 mins Silent Location: Twickenham
The intrepid Lieutenant Pimple thwarts foreign enemies in an action-packed wartime spy spoof.
Non-Fiction 1914 1 mins Silent Location: London
An introduction to the wonders of the automobile for curious WWI enlisties.
Non-Fiction 1914 1 mins Silent
Grinning Canadian troops arrive in England.
Non-Fiction 1914 mins Silent
A wartime call-to-arms performed by the Band of the Grenadier Guards.
Non-Fiction 1914 1 mins Silent
Belgian soldiers and civilian refugees gather in Ostend in early WWI, before evacuating to England.
Non-Fiction 1914 1 mins Silent
The ruins of an unnamed Belgian town early in WWI.
Documentary 1959 23 mins Location: Castle Donington
Light bulbs, television tubes and nuclear power stations: electrifying the world with AEI.
Documentary 1939 16 mins Location: Woolwich
Documentary on the history of the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society’s and its education programme inspired by the Rochdale Pioneers.
Amateur film 1962 16 mins Silent Location: Woolwich
The good folks of Woolwich & Plumstead appear busiest at their leisure, even finding time to put this film together
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Woolwich
Charging horses and blazing guns at the Woolwich Garrison tattoo, leading to a toy soldier massacre.
Non-Fiction 1917 1 mins Silent Location: Woolwich
Women workers receive a visit from Queen Mary, as she inspects their work at the munitions factory in Woolwich.
Non-Fiction 1926 1 mins Silent Location: Woolwich
An Indian nurse and newborn babies greet Princess Mary at the British Hospital For Mothers And Babies in Woolwich.
Comedy 1896 1 mins Silent
A deft music hall act adapted for film, featuring the only known appearance of pioneer filmmaker Robert Paul
Advert 1985 2 mins
Take a fighter jet, a Top Gun pilot with sunglasses and a brand new SAAB 900 and you have a sure-fire vehicle to launch a Hollywood career.
Promotional 2019 10 mins
A wandering warrior dreams of a new form of expression, in this promo for UNKLE’s album The Road: Part II / Lost Highway Pt. II directed by Warren Du Preez and Nick Thornton Jones.
1935 16 mins
A rare glimpse of 1930s London in colour: the Thames has never looked lovelier.
1965 1 mins Location: York
A world away from zany humour, Richard Lester shows he can also capture the easy opulence of the upper class nibbling After Eight mints.
Advert 1946 1 mins Silent
Life is looking up! The war is over and the “Corona” Man can visit his “Corona” families once more, door-to-door.
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