This film is part of Free
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_480x270/public/hero-images/Derby%25201895.jpg?itok=TSMECPI9)
The Derby 1895
An exciting finish suggests that this is one of the very earliest British films
Overview
This is believed to be the Derby of 1895, filmed by Birt Acres for Robert Paul on 29 May 1895 - and hence one of the very earliest surviving British films. Only one older projected film, Arrest of a Pickpocket (probably shot just weeks earlier), is known to survive, though neither film would actually be screened in public until the following year.
Though we can't be certain about its provenance, the content fits a contemporary description of the film - "Clearing the course; preliminary canter; race and crowd surging over the course" - while the camera position is consistent with a photograph of Acres with his camera at Epsom on that day. Finally, the finish is a close one (as we know it was in 1895), and one of the jockeys seems to be wearing the pale-hooped colours of Lord Rosebery, owner of the winning horse, Sir Visto.
Related
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/rough%2520sea%2520at%2520dover.jpg?itok=zLdG_Pnp)
Rough Sea at Dover Rough Sea at Dover
Non-Fiction 1895 0 mins Silent
Waves crash onto a jetty on the Kentish shoreline in one of Britain's earliest surviving films
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Comic%2520Costume%2520Race.jpg?itok=tKuno4M0)
Comic Costume Race Comic Costume Race
Non-Fiction 1896 1 mins Silent
Plenty of laughs to be had as these Victorian clowns attempt to run a charity race - if they can get their wigs on
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Sea%2520Cave%2520near%2520Lisbon.jpg?itok=cwtYkosZ)
Sea Cave near Lisbon Sea Cave near Lisbon
1896 0 mins Silent
Breath-taking view of waves breaking at the mouth of the Boca do Inferno.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Launch%2520of%2520HMS%2520Albion.jpg?itok=iHmHYxx2)
Launch of H.M.S. Albion Launch of H.M.S. Albion
Non-Fiction 1898 2 mins Silent Location: Blackwall
The launch of H.M.S Albion, which was marred by the collapse of a gangway which resulted in many spectators drowning.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Two%2520A.M.%253B%2520Or%252C%2520The%2520Husband%2527s%2520Return.jpg?itok=CpSvtput)
Two A.M.; Or, The Husband's Return Two A.M.; Or, The Husband's Return
Comedy 1896 1 mins Silent
A drunken spouse gets his just desserts in a timeless scene
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Queen%2520Victoria%2527s%2520Diamond%2520Jubilee%2520Paul%2520%2528York%2520Road%25205%2529.jpg?itok=7aujnjZC)
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Front of Procession Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Paul - York Road - Front of Procession
1897 1 mins Silent
Carriages full of well-heeled guests continue in Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee procession, filmed for RW Paul.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Shoot-Your-Shot-02.jpg?itok=KREdlpBS)
Shoot Your Shot Shoot Your Shot
Drama 2022 12 mins
An emotional stand-off takes flight, as teen best friends Ronit and Brennan come to terms with navigating that fuzzy feeling in their stomachs, all whilst learning to skateboard.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Yellow-04.jpg?itok=Bt5NDkC8)
Yellow Yellow
Drama 2023 13 mins
In Taliban controlled Afghanistan, Laili walks into a Chadari store in Kabul to buy her first full body veil from a Talib shopkeeper and face a new future.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/%25E2%2580%258ELook-Like-You-02.jpeg?itok=2R3w9luT)
Look Like You Look Like You
Drama 2022 13 mins
While visiting the adoptive family of her eight-year-old biological son, Tara relays advice she gathered from growing up as a queer outcast.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/NEHEMICH-02.jpg?itok=ba9fjUy4)
Nehemich Nehemich
Drama 2023 23 mins
Banished in a dilapidated village hut during her menstruation, a young girl waits to elope with her lover.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/1717526943-default-ovp-poster-image.jpg?itok=Fk8VLsGa)
Interview with Pam Cullen Interview with Pam Cullen
Inside Film 2020 53 mins
Interview with Pam Cullen who at 97 boasts an incredible career spanning over fifty years in the Indian film industry.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/muscleqanda.jpg?itok=8sw22r7R)
Muscle - Exclusive Q&A Muscle - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 34 mins
Director Gerard Johnson talks Nia Child through the making of Muscle, an adrenalized drama that tears into the stereotypes of masculinity and male friendship.