This film is part of Free
Trafalgar Day London 1900
With the Boer War raging 1,000s of miles away, Victorian Londoners pay tribute to the military
Overview
From a convenient spot on the pavement, we see crowds congregating at the foot of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square. The occasion is Trafalgar Day, 21 October 1900 - an annual celebration of Admiral Nelson's famous naval victory - but the commemoration is especially poignant while the country is caught up in the Boer War. The floral display is very eye-catching, but the advertising on the buses, and the gentlemen's formal dress complete with top hats, may be more diverting to modern viewers.
This film was made by the Warwick Trading Company, an early American film production outfit run from a London office. Warwick specialised in actuality and travel films, which were shot all over the world, as well as closer to home in the British capital.
Related
Out of Chaos Out of Chaos
Documentary 1944 27 mins Location: Trafalgar Square
"Why in the height of a world war, should there be this terrific interest in painting?"
Trafalgar Square Riot Trafalgar Square Riot
Non-Fiction 1913 1 mins Silent Location: Trafalgar Square
A suffragette demonstration led by Sylvia Pankhurst ends in chaos as police prevent a march on Downing Street.
Mass Meeting of Suffragettes Mass Meeting of Suffragettes
Non-Fiction 1910 1 mins Silent Location: Trafalgar Square
Votes for Women protesters swamp Trafalgar Square, brandishing placards and petitions.
London Street Scenes - Trafalgar Square London Street Scenes - Trafalgar Square
Non-Fiction 1910 1 mins Silent Location: Trafalgar Square
Spot the changes and continuities in this majestic Edwardian panorama of Trafalgar Square.
London as the 'City of Dreadful Night' London as the 'City of Dreadful Night'
Non-Fiction 1924 0 mins Silent Location: Trafalgar Square
Experience the dinge and gloom of the smog shrouding London's Trafalgar Square in the 1920s.
Aldermaston Aldermaston
Amateur film 1962 25 mins Silent Location: Aldermaston
A fascinating record of the 1962 Aldermaston March featuring Canon John Collins, Michael Foot and thousands of marchers of all ages.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George 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
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.