This film is part of Free
Spiders on a Web
Dare you watch this footage of larger-than-life spiders - one of the earliest nature films of its type?
1900 Silent
Overview
This is one of the first examples of close-up nature photography, predating the work of science film pioneer Percy Smith by almost a decade. At this scale, the humble spiders appear as fearsome beasts, and although they haven't really been photographed on a web, the circular mask on the frame gives that impression. While this film could have some educational value, its director, showman-turned-filmmaker George Albert Smith, probably just wanted to give the audience something gruesome to gawp at.
Subjects
Related
Inventing Film Language
As Seen through a Telescope As Seen through a Telescope
Comedy 1900 1 mins Silent
A peeping Tom gets a shocking glimpse of stocking in this early take on film voyeurism.
Countryman and the Cinematograph Countryman and the Cinematograph
Comedy 1901 0 mins Silent
A country yokel gets a shock in an early example of a 'film within a film'.
Fire! Fire!
Drama 1901 5 mins Silent
A dramatic rescue from a burning building by heroic firemen is one of our most important films
Undressing Extraordinary; Or, The Troubles of a Tired Traveller Undressing Extraordinary; Or, The Troubles of a Tired Traveller
Trick film 1901 2 mins Silent
Entertaining example of early 'special effects'
Grandma's Reading Glass Grandma's Reading Glass
Trick film 1900 1 mins Silent
A boy examines things through his Grandmother’s magnifying glass, and early film takes a huge step forward.
The Big Swallow The Big Swallow
Comedy 1901 1 mins Silent
A classic early film gag - and a big leap forward for a fast-evolving new art
New
Nowhere Nowhere
Drama 2020 21 mins
A young Palestinian woman crosses the Israeli border illegally to find her long-lost brother, who she hopes will be her ticket to a new life.
These Are the Hands These Are the Hands
Charity appeal 2020 2 mins
Beautiful NHS fundraiser, setting Michael Rosen’s poem to powerful archive images.
Feast of Eid-ul-Fitr Feast of Eid-ul-Fitr
Non-Fiction 1924 1 mins Silent Location: Woking
The UK's first purpose-built mosque welcomes a huge crowd of worshippers - and newsreel cameras!
And Very Nice Too And Very Nice Too
Comedy 1914 9 mins Silent
A vicar is caught flirting with an improperly-dressed chorus girl in this saucy silent comedy.
Manchester's Welcome to the Imperial Yeomanry (1901) Manchester's Welcome to the Imperial Yeomanry (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 4 mins Silent Location: Manchester
A volunteer cavalry regiment is enthusiastically welcomed home after active service in South Africa.
S.S. Saxonia in Liverpool (1901) S.S. Saxonia in Liverpool (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
All ashore! Passengers disembark and crew offload after a long Atlantic crossing.