This film is part of Free

The Brilliant Biograph
Immerse yourself in an enchanting compilation of newly-restored rare images from the first years of filmmaking.
Overview
Eye Filmmuseum and the British Film Institute present a compilation of newly-restored rare images from the first years of filmmaking. Immerse yourself in enchanting images of Venice, Berlin, Amsterdam and London from 120 years ago. The films reflect the essence of early cinema, capturing the first-ever moving images of important events, famous locations and personalities, as well as spectacular moments such as performances and natural phenomena that only work when seen in motion.
The Mutoscope and Biograph Collection is the oldest film collection held at Eye Filmmuseum. It includes over 200 films, most of which were made in Europe between 1897 and 1902. This constitutes the largest existing collection of Mutoscope and Biograph films surviving in the world. These films are all photographed with the unique large-format 68mm Mutograph camera, which provided extraordinarily high-resolution images. These one-minute time capsules from 120 years ago still convey some of the richest and sharpest images that film can achieve. Funding from the European Commission’s ‘European Tribute to Film Heritage’ program allowed for the high quality 8k digitisation of 50 selected films from the Eye and BFI collections. Produced by Frank Roumen of EYE Filmmuseum in cooperation with the BFI National Archive and with the support of the European Commission.
Related

First X-ray Cinematograph Film Ever Taken First X-ray Cinematograph Film Ever Taken
0 mins
Frogs legs on film: trailblazing Victorian medical research

Children in the Nursery Children in the Nursery
Comedy 1898 1 mins Silent
Seen but not heard? Three children get up to mischief after mother puts them to bed in this Victorian entertainment.

Me and My Two Friends Me and My Two Friends
1898 0 mins Silent Location: Worthing
A beatific image of Victorian childhood

The Magic Extinguisher The Magic Extinguisher
Trick film 1901 2 mins Silent
You'll never guess quite what this chap can hide under his cone...

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

Solar Eclipse Solar Eclipse
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins
The magic of a real solar eclipse filmed by a famous magician

New Perspectives: Tangerine New Perspectives: Tangerine
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Wallace, a student at Northumbria university, explains why Sean Baker's LA-set comedy-drama, about a transgender sex worker on the hunt for her cheating -ex, is worth your time.

Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode
Inside Film 2025 44 mins
Daniel Craig talks to Mark Kermode about his acting career, from his early role in Love is the Devil through to the Luca Guadagnino directed Queer.

New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.

New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.

Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.

On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.