This film is part of Free
Shortage of Munitions
Was this a lesson in how to shell out on frontline firepower?
Overview
In World War One, newsreels like Gaumont Graphic had a part to play in reassuring the public that the fight was going well. This item appeared in early 1916, soon after the Shell Crisis in Britain had been sparked by a serious shortage of artillery on the front lines. It only takes a few pans across a field full of lorries being loaded with French munitions to imply that when it came to Allied firepower, it was all noisy on the Western Front.
Calming a political panic is never easy. But at almost two minutes’ length, this was an ambitious newsreel item for its time – and there’s no denying the power of the spectacle it unfolds. The camera surveys the scene at a leisurely pace, with different shots edited together to offer a near panorama of this giant armoury.
Related
Empire Day Empire Day
Non-Fiction 1916 2 mins Silent Location: London
London schoolchildren wave their flags for the first official Empire Day, as soldiers parade in the playground.
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
London's May Queen London's May Queen
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent Location: Hayes Common
Excitable children in their Sunday finery gawp at cameras during the parade for London’s May Queen.
Army Economy Army Economy
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent Location: Osterley
Soldiers show off a fine crop of sprouts, grown at the Army Service Corps depot at Osterley Park in Hounslow.
Hands Off Baby's Milk Hands Off Baby's Milk
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent
High milk prices during WWI drive mother and child onto the street in protest
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2023 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2023 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.