This film is part of Free

Soldiers Working and Firing a Field Gun
Sailors from HMS 'Excellent' operate a 9-pounder muzzle loading field gun
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins
Overview
This film is part of a series called Life In Our Navy made by Alfred West and seen (according to West) by over 2 million people during its run on Regent Street. It shows sailors from HMS Excellent doing a speedy drill with a 9-pounder muzzle loading field gun. The gun may have been obsolete at the time this film was made, but that's clearly not the point of the drill - or the film.
Speed is of the essence for the sailors, and the filmmaker was particularly excited about what he captured, noting in the catalogue that "the gun is fired direct at the camera, and the sailors seen working amidst the smoke of the discharge". But does it give Edwin S. Porter's famous final shot of The Great Train Robbery a run for its money?
Related
England Expects

Lord Roberts Presenting Medals to Boer War Volunteers in Liverpool (1901) Lord Roberts Presenting Medals to Boer War Volunteers in Liverpool (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 9 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces recognises war heroes old and new in front of crowds on a wet day in Edwardian Liverpool.

Royal Scots Regiment at Edinburgh Castle (1901) Royal Scots Regiment at Edinburgh Castle (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 5 mins Silent Location: Edinburgh Castle
Troops play up for the camera in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle.

Ambulance Crossing the Modder Ambulance Crossing the Modder
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins Silent
A surprisingly languid scene shot far from the Boer War battlefields.

H.M.S. "Powerful" Arriving in Portsmouth Harbour H.M.S. "Powerful" Arriving in Portsmouth Harbour
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Silent Location: Portsmouth
A mighty naval cruiser returns home to Britain, covered in glory - and Nelson's ship is there to welcome it

Wooden Walls of Old England Wooden Walls of Old England
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins
Panorama of two wooden battleships, both by this time used as training ships for naval cadets

Coldstream Guards Embarking on Troopship Gascon Coldstream Guards Embarking on Troopship Gascon
Non-Fiction 1899 1 mins Silent Location: Southampton
This close view of departing troops gets up close and personal with soldiers off to the Boer War.
New

Lord Durham at Sunderland (1901) Lord Durham at Sunderland (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 3 mins Silent Location: Sunderland
Durham Light Infantry veterans collect their medals for valour in the Boer War.

Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Richard Curtis - A Love Actually Special Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Richard Curtis - A Love Actually Special
Discussion programme 2020 38 mins
This festive season, Mark Kermode takes a deep dive into his favourite ever Christmas movie, Love Actually, with writer and director, Richard Curtis..

The Brilliant Biograph The Brilliant Biograph
Anthology 2020 52 mins Silent
Immerse yourself in an enchanting compilation of newly-restored rare images from the first years of filmmaking.

Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Kathleen Turner, Henry Blake and Julien Temple Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Kathleen Turner, Henry Blake and Julien Temple
Discussion programme 2020 30 mins
The funniest, best loved and most respected film critic in the UK talks to an array of guests from the world of film including Kathleen Turner, Henry Blake and Julien Temple.

Mark Kermode Online in 3D with Meera Syal, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Greg Proops and more Mark Kermode Online in 3D with Meera Syal, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Greg Proops and more
Discussion programme 2020 65 mins
The funniest, best loved and most respected film critic in the UK talks to an array of guests from the world of film including Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Meera Syal, Ben Roberts, and more!

Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Morfydd Clark, Rose Glass, Segun Akinola and Be Manzini Mark Kermode Online In 3D with Morfydd Clark, Rose Glass, Segun Akinola and Be Manzini
Discussion programme 2020 56 mins
The funniest, best loved and most respected film critic in the UK talks to an array of guests from the world of film including Morfydd Clark, Shola Amoo, Be Manzini, and more!