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The First World War
From the home front to the front line: life during the “war to end all wars” as seen through the lens of newsreel, propaganda and drama.
Films made and shown in Britain between 1914 and 1918 reflect the scale and horror of the unfolding conflict across multiple theatres of war, but also capture a nation trying to get on with everyday life. Filmmakers shot everything from local events and celebrations to short comedies that provided a much-needed dose of light relief in difficult times. Insights into the changing role of women in wartime and Britain's reliance on colonial troops can also be found.
After WWI, Armistice Day and Remembrance ceremonies were often caught on film, while British cinema produced epic dramas addressing the experiences of the Great War into the 1920s and beyond.
Battle Front in Britain Battle Front in Britain
Documentary 1918 24 mins Silent
Growing potatoes in Green Park plus some handy uses for your old tin cans – it’s all part of the war effort on the home front.
The Austrian Tragedy The Austrian Tragedy
Non-Fiction 1914 2 mins Silent
A muted newsreel tribute to Austria's Archduke Franz Ferdinand - victim of an assassin's bullet in an event that would soon take Europe to war.
Bully Boy Bully Boy
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1914 6 mins Silent
Lightning sketch propaganda stirs outrage about Reims bombing, and features a British bulldog eating the German sausage
The Warrior Strain The Warrior Strain
War 1920 52 mins Silent
Young Lord Billy sniffs out sneaky German marauders in this flag-waving war drama - thrills for British boys, 1919-style.
Funeral at the Front Funeral at the Front
Non-Fiction 1915 1 mins Silent
Sombre and moving World War I newsreel story.
Christmas at the Front Christmas at the Front
Non-Fiction 1914 1 mins Silent
Poignant scenes of Allied troops enjoying their Yuletide rations at the first Christmas of WWI.
Nurse and Martyr Nurse and Martyr
Biopic 1915 11 mins Silent
The moving true story of wartime heroine Nurse Edith Cavell, recreated in the aftermath of her execution.
"Stop the War" Demonstration in Trafalgar Square "Stop the War" Demonstration in Trafalgar Square
Non-Fiction 1914 0 mins Silent Location: Westminster
The crowds gather in Trafalgar Square to join a rally for peace - two days before Britain declares war on Germany
Anti-German Riots in Liverpool following the Loss of 'Lusitania' Anti-German Riots in Liverpool following the Loss of 'Lusitania'
Non-Fiction 1915 2 mins Silent
Newsreel footage captures the aftermath of riots in Liverpool following the sinking of Cunard liner 'the Lusy' during WWI.
For the Wounded For the Wounded
Non-Fiction 1915 1 mins Silent
'Our Day' charity fundraising badges are pinned to the coats of two black soldiers during WWI.
War Time Weddings War Time Weddings
Non-Fiction 1915 1 mins Silent Location: Westminster
The daughter of famed actor-manager Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree gets hitched to a military Captain during WWI.
Ramsgate Zeppelin Raid. Showing Damage Done to the Bull and George Hotel. Ramsgate Zeppelin Raid. Showing Damage Done to the Bull and George Hotel.
Non-Fiction 1915 1 mins Silent Location: Ramsgate
Public anxiety about war from the air is all too real for the people of Ramsgate in this newsreel footage of the aftermath of a Zeppelin raid.
Outposts of Empire Outposts of Empire
Non-Fiction 1915 1 mins Silent
British troops try to coax and cajole their pack animals on to a military supply train, but they're stubborn as mules...
From Trinidad to Serve the Empire From Trinidad to Serve the Empire
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent Location: London
Colonial recruits from Trinidad meet the Lord Mayor of London during WWI
Shower Baths in the Trenches Shower Baths in the Trenches
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent
A humble scrub is all it takes to get these French troops in a lather.
Keep the Home Fires Burning Keep the Home Fires Burning
War 1916 16 mins Silent
Two sisters love the same man - one marries him, but the effects of WWI complicate their relationship
London: Air Raid, 1917 London: Air Raid, 1917
Non-Fiction 1917 4 mins Silent Location: City of London
Twisted metal, jagged wood and piles of rubble: the devastating aftermath of an air raid in London.
Deliverance of Lille by Haig's Men Deliverance of Lille by Haig's Men
Non-Fiction 1918 2 mins Silent
Bashful British soldiers are mobbed by French citizens after Lille is freed from the Germans in WWI.
Australian Troops at the Pyramids Australian Troops at the Pyramids
Non-Fiction 1918 1 mins Silent
Shades of epic cinema as soldiers roam around the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza
Rescue Work in No Man's Land Rescue Work in No Man's Land
Non-Fiction 1918 1 mins Silent
The heroic dogs trained to aid wounded WWI soldiers caught between the lines.
The Somme The Somme
Drama-documentary 1927 109 mins Silent Location: Hounslow
Dramatic reconstruction of the Somme
Armistice Armistice
Musical 1929 16 mins
Take your seat for an Armistice concert by military bands playing a medley of songs commonly sung during WWI.
Hedd Wyn Hedd Wyn
War 1992 115 mins Location: Trawsfynydd
The stirring story of poet Ellis Evans-Hedd Wyn, the Welsh poet posthumously awarded the Eisteddfod chair at Birkenhead in 1917 after failing to return from 1st World War trenches.
Poppies of Flanders Poppies of Flanders
Non-Fiction 1928 1 mins Silent Location: Richmond
A one-armed soldier is among those shown diligently manufacturing poppies on the 10th anniversary of Armistice Day at a factory in Richmond.
Cinema of WWI
A young film industry just settling into its own home - the cinema - found itself enlisted to record, report and dramatise a war unlike any other.
Remembrance
The First World War dead were commemorated as they fell. That act of remembrance has never ceased. For the survivors, it invokes a range of emotions, not least pride, sorrow and anger.
The Sinking of RMS Lusitania
Remembering one of Britain's worst maritime disasters and a pivotal moment of World War One.
1914 on Film
What did our forebears watch a century ago? Discover the cinema of 1914 in this very mixed programme from the year the world changed.
1915 on Film
As a nation steeled itself for a long war, cinemas offered desperately wanted information - and welcome distraction. Find out what Britain watched a century ago.
1916 on Film
The war dragged on - and on… but cinemas offered more news from the Front, while trying to entertain those at home. Watch along with cinemagoers a century ago.
1917 on Film
A fourth year of war and no end in sight. Government propaganda stepped up, and even animation took a dark turn... What our forebears saw in cinemas a century ago.
1918 on Film
The final year of the war was a tough one for British film, but the industry did its patriotic best.