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Victoria's New Media Pioneers
Electrical instrument maker, inventor, photographer, chemist, magic lanternist, magician - these were the men who built British film. Among that first generation of filmmakers, there were a few whose ambition, ingenuity and business acumen lifted them above the rest. And even if today's filmmakers may not always recognise it, they tread in the footsteps of these intrepid pioneers.
R.W. Paul (1869 - 1943)
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
Birt Acres (1854-1918)
Opening of the Kiel Canal Opening of the Kiel Canal
Non-Fiction 1895 0 mins Silent
This was one of a series of actuality films made by the Victorian pioneer Birt Acres during 1895. The film is thought to have been shot on the occasion of the opening of the Kiel Canal by the German Kaiser Wilhelm II.
The Derby 1895 The Derby 1895
Non-Fiction 1895 1 mins Silent
An exciting finish suggests that this is one of the very earliest British films
G.A. Smith (1864-1959)
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.
The Kiss in the Tunnel The Kiss in the Tunnel
Comedy 1899 2 mins Silent
A snatched kiss in a railway tunnel, played by real-life married couple GA Smith and Laura Bayley
The Miller and the Sweep The Miller and the Sweep
Comedy 1897 1 mins Silent
A battle of soot versus flour
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.
Comic Faces - Old Man Drinking a Glass of Beer Comic Faces - Old Man Drinking a Glass of Beer
Comedy 1897 1 mins Silent
How many faces can one man pull while drinking one glass of beer? Far more than you might think
The House That Jack Built The House That Jack Built
Comedy 1900 1 mins Silent
All's well that ends well - which is exactly what happens when movie magic undoes a boy's wanton vandalism
James Williamson (1855-1933)
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
Washing the Sweep Washing the Sweep
Comedy 1898 1 mins Silent
A washerwoman's work is never done - especially when there's a drunken chimney sweep at large...
Are You There? Are You There?
Comedy 1901 1 mins Silent
Innovative early film, which invents its own 'split-screen' effect
Fire! Fire!
Drama 1901 5 mins Silent
A dramatic rescue from a burning building by heroic firemen is one of our most important films
The Puzzled Bather and His Animated Clothes The Puzzled Bather and His Animated Clothes
Trick film 1901 1 mins Silent
An entertaining early film 'trick'
Attack on a China Mission - Bluejackets to the Rescue Attack on a China Mission - Bluejackets to the Rescue
War 1900 1 mins Silent Location: Brighton
Fictional treatment of a contemporary atrocity story from the 1900 Boxer rebellion in China.
WKL Dickson (1860-1930)
Me and My Two Friends Me and My Two Friends
1898 0 mins Silent Location: Worthing
A beatific image of Victorian childhood
Herbert Campbell As Little Bobby Herbert Campbell As Little Bobby
Comedy 1899 1 mins Silent
A not-so-little variety star shows off his appetite
Launch of the Worthing Lifeboat Coming Ashore Launch of the Worthing Lifeboat Coming Ashore
Documentary 1898 1 mins Silent Location: Worthing
Stunning footage of a lifesaving demonstration
Walter Booth (1969-1938)
Railway Collision Railway Collision
Drama 1900 1 mins Silent
An impressive early film special effect
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'
Waif and the Wizard; or, The Home Made Happy Waif and the Wizard; or, The Home Made Happy
Trick film 1901 2 mins Silent
A boy asks a magician to entertain his sick sister in this edition of RW Paul’s Sentimental Songs with Animated Illustrations.