This film is part of Free
Suffragette Derby of 1913
A momentous act of self sacrifice is caught on camera - Emily Davison is trampled by the King's horse at the 1913 Epsom Derby.
Overview
This newsreel footage captures a milestone event in the campaign for women's suffrage: the trampling to death of activist Emily Davison under the hooves of the King's horse at the 1913 Epsom Derby. The film begins, much like any other of Derby day, with scenes before the off - bobbies having their luncheon and cars arriving at the scene, including the carriage of King George V, mobbed with onlookers. As the race gets underway and the riders round Tattenham Corner, the camera is trained firmly on the track. Emily steps out.
Emily died from her injuries a few days later. A hundred years on, her motives are still debated. Certainly, the suffragettes were adept at harnessing the media to highlight their struggle. Emily's previous attention-grabbing antics included throwing stones at future Prime Minister David Lloyd George, and taking part in prison hunger strikes. She would have been fully aware of the scale of press coverage leveraged on the day and the presence of multiple newsreel cameras (Topical Budget also caught the fateful moment).
Related
Miss Davison's Funeral Miss Davison's Funeral
Non-Fiction 1913 2 mins Silent Location: Bloomsbury
The funeral procession of suffragette Emily Davison - fatally injured at the Epsom Derby - passes through London to her final resting place in Morpeth.
Suffragettes Again Suffragettes Again
Non-Fiction 1913 1 mins Silent
Incendiary images from Plymouth, at the sharp end of the campaign for women's votes.
Milling the Militants; A Comical Absurdity Milling the Militants; A Comical Absurdity
Comedy 1913 7 mins Silent
Left with the kids while his wife campaigns for women's votes, an aggrieved husband dreams of punishing all suffragettes.
Meet the Suffragettes: The Original Media-Disruptors Meet the Suffragettes: The Original Media-Disruptors
Short documentary 2015 10 mins
BFI's silent film curator, Bryony Dixon, explores the BFI National Archive's holdings around women's suffrage.
Palace Pandemonium Palace Pandemonium
Non-Fiction 1914 1 mins Silent Location: Buckingham Palace
The campaign for women's suffrage steps up as Emmeline Pankhurst is arrested at the gates of Buckingham Palace.
Demonstration of Suffragettes Demonstration of Suffragettes
Non-Fiction 1910 3 mins Silent Location: London
An early view of Emily Wilding Davison in the multitudes of women in a mass demonstration organised by the Women’s Social and Political Union on 18 June 1910
The Derby: Coaches, Etc, Through Epsom Town The Derby: Coaches, Etc, Through Epsom Town
Non-Fiction 1899 2 mins Silent Location: Epsom
Red letter day for the Victorian horseracing fraternity and the Surrey town.
Gaumont Graphic No. 440 Gaumont Graphic No. 440
Non-Fiction 1915 5 mins Silent Location: Epsom
A brave young soldier receives the Victoria Cross - just one stirring newsreel story on this complete WWI-era edition of Gaumont Graphic.
Afrika Bambaataa on Afrofuturism (Q&A) Afrika Bambaataa on Afrofuturism (Q&A)
Inside Film 2014 45 mins
Afrika Bambaataa and DJ, musician and filmmaker Don Letts discuss the development of Afrofuturism and its key artists.
Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass) Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2011 33 mins
Over 30 years and 150 projects, the composer shares, with humour and passion, the intricacies of making film music.
Ian Neil (Masterclass) Ian Neil (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2012 74 mins
Neil selected soundtracks for 127 Hours, Shame, Kick Ass, Control and many more. He discusses the job and its complexities, referencing his own work.
Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan
Inside Film 2012 mins
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy's adapter reveals his quest for "the poem of the book" and the importance of simplicity: 'Drain the pond to find the fish'.
Gabriel Yared on composing for film Gabriel Yared on composing for film
Inside Film 2013 11 mins
Composer of The Lives of Others, The English Patient and Betty Blue on intimacy and experimentation.
Lois Burwell on movie makeup Lois Burwell on movie makeup
Inside Film 2013 17 mins
Lincoln, Braveheart and Magnolia make-up artist Lois Burwell explains how she created some of her most iconic looks, as part of a BAFTA Masterclass.