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Crowds of thousands came to see a stadium-sized theatrical spectacle.
Non-Fiction 1906 25 mins Silent
Unfolding across a whole week, and with 2000 performers, this was a gargantuan spectacle. The Warwick Pageant's ten episodes, as compressed here, saw men, women, and children re-enact significant events in the histories of Britain and the local area. Episode IV tells the tale of Guy of Warwick, the hero who slayed the monstrous Dun Cow - whose massive head we see wheeled in, eyes rolling and breathing smoke.
The early 20th century found Britain in the throes of 'pageant fever' thanks to one man: Louis Napoleon Parker. A similar event organised by Parker for Sherborne the previous year had captured public imagination, and after Warwick, other towns wanted in on the action too. Whether it's the Roman battles or the Elizabethan costumes, this drama is immersive, and the castle grounds offer a suitably mythical backdrop. This field bears the name of the Warwick Pageant to this day.
Drama 1913 54 mins Silent
Johnston Forbes-Roberston gives his famous performance of Hamlet in this ambitious early Shakespeare feature
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1989 5 mins
Two virtuoso performances in one – Shakespeare's complete works presented in puppet form by a master of animation
Short documentary 2016 9 mins
Discover why filmmakers in the silent era turned to the works of William Shakespeare for inspiration.
Inside Film 1967 16 mins
Teenage actors discuss their work with Franco Zeffirelli on Romeo and Juliet.
Comedy 1910 11 mins Silent
Vitagraph’s charming 1910 interpretation features some notably lively performances.
Inside Film 2016 31 mins
The stars of Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet are reunited on stage for the first time since 1968 as part of the BFI and British Council’s Shakespeare on Film.
Amateur film 1934 7 mins Silent Location: Matlock
Join Sydney Bligh and his fellow delegates as they tour Derbyshire spa towns, visit castles and cathedrals and still have time to see the animals at Whipsnade Zoo
Travelogue 1908 2 mins Silent Location: Warwick
A bygone Warwick with its impressive castle and idyllic River Avon shines in this charming early short.
Travelogue 1910 5 mins Silent Location: Royal Leamington Spa
Elegantly attired men and women while away a sunny afternoon on the banks of the River Avon in this idyllic Edwardian travelogue.
Documentary 1937 34 mins Silent Location: Houses of Parliament
Follow working narrow boats as they make their 60-hour trip from London to Birmingham along Britain's longest industrial waterway.
Travelogue 1947 17 mins Location: Warwick
Tourist promo film extolling the delights of Birmingham and the Midlands, with a sprinkling of arch one-liners.
Amateur film 1967 20 mins Silent Location: Warwick
World renowned landmarks, the country's most famous author and traditional farming culture meet in the centre of England.
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.
Charity appeal 2020 2 mins
Beautiful NHS fundraiser, setting Michael Rosen’s poem to powerful archive images.
Non-Fiction 1924 1 mins Silent Location: Woking
The UK's first purpose-built mosque welcomes a huge crowd of worshippers - and newsreel cameras!
Comedy 1914 9 mins Silent
A vicar is caught flirting with an improperly-dressed chorus girl in this saucy silent comedy.
Non-Fiction 1901 4 mins Silent Location: Manchester
A volunteer cavalry regiment is enthusiastically welcomed home after active service in South Africa.
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
All ashore! Passengers disembark and crew offload after a long Atlantic crossing.
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