This film is part of Free
Aerial Submarine A Startling Forecast. Piracy in Sea and Air
Follow two kidnapped children on a surreal pirate adventure in this 'trick' sci-fi fantasy.
Science Fiction 1910 9 mins Silent
Overview
Aided by futuristic technology, piracy knows no bounds! A fiendish female pirate takes two kidnapped children on a joy-ride through sea and air with her nifty aerial submarine. W.R. Booth's painted backgrounds and Méliès-style camera tricks create a wonderfully surreal Jules Verne-like world where nothing is quite what you expect.
The film owes its painted backgrounds, underwater scenery and short animated sequence to Walter R. Booth, whose training as a magician visibly influenced his later work as a filmmaker. Booth devised many short 'trick' films with silent film pioneer R.W. Paul before joining Charles Urban's company Kineto Ltd in 1906.
Subjects
Related
Tomorrow's World
The Airship Destroyer The Airship Destroyer
Science Fiction 1909 10 mins Silent
England faces aerial invasion in this entertaining Edwardian science fiction fantasy.
Ever Been Had Ever Been Had
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1917 9 mins Silent
Blackly comic cartoon portrait of an apocalyptic England, destroyed 50 years after signing a premature peace in WWI.
Everything but Everything in Bri-nylon Everything but Everything in Bri-nylon
Industry sponsored film 1959 20 mins
50s fashion meets carpet kitsch in a futuristic fantasy of domestic bliss - courtesy of versatile, magical Bri-Nylon.
Fugitive Futurist Fugitive Futurist
Science Fiction 1924 12 mins
An on-the-run inventor claims to have invented a camera which looks into the future, showing a grim destiny for London landmarks like Tower Bridge and Trafalgar Square.
High Treason (sound version) High Treason (sound version)
Science Fiction 1929 68 mins
Extravagantly-mounted futuristic sci-fi, now with added sound, although still with the world's two power blocs at loggerheads.
High Treason (silent version) High Treason (silent version)
Science Fiction 1929 75 mins Silent
A terrorist plot plays out on a backdrop of towering skyscrapers, bullet-railways and silver lamé in this vintage vision of London's future.
New
Khwaaish Khwaaish
Drama 2018 7 mins
Khwaaish or 'Desire' is an Indian short film that glimpses into the life of one man’s longing to find a same-sex companion, in a city that refuses to accept LGBTQIA+ people.
Chariot Riders Chariot Riders
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2015 5 mins
Beautifully animated short film about a boy's feelings of love for another boy – his best friend.
Sisak Sisak
Romance 2017 15 mins
A first-of-its-kind silent LGBTQ short film set in India, Sisak makes waves before the visuals of this film hit the shore.
Maacher Jhol - The Fish Curry Maacher Jhol - The Fish Curry
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2017 12 mins
Lalit decides to come out to his parents at dinner. Seeking acceptance, he cooks his father’s favourite fish curry.
Little Elephant Little Elephant
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2015 5 mins
A British Indian woman and her father discuss their opposing views on family and sexuality in this beautifully moving, visually striking 2D animated short film.
Wajood Wajood
Romance 2017 12 mins
A young trans woman embarks on a poignant quest for love after falling for a rickshaw driver.