There will be a number of special showings of the 1916 film ‘The Battle of the Somme’ this November across Bath & North East Somerset to commemorate the WW1 centenary.
Imperial War Museums (IWM) and Bath & North East Somerset Council are working together to show the UNESCO listed film to audiences across the area.
Shot and screened in 1916, it was the first feature length documentary about war and changed the way both cinema and film was perceived by the public.
In the year of its release around 20 million people (almost half the population of Britain at the time) watched ‘The Battle of the Somme’, many hoping to see the image of a loved-one or friend captured on screen.
The film includes footage filmed during the months of the battle, with some re-constructed scenes.
Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones (Con., Lansdown), Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “The Battle of the Somme’ was shown to packed audiences in cinemas, and it’s hard to imagine what it must have been like to watch in 1916.
“In Bath, it was shown at the Vaudeville Picture Theatre (opposite Komedia in Westgate Street) and the Picturedrome (long since demolished in Southgate St), with tickets priced at 1s (5p), 7d (3p) and 4d (2p).
“One hundred years later, this unique film from IWM’s collection is being shown to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.”
Screenings in Bath, Keynsham, Midsomer Norton and Radstock will all feature a short introduction and free film-notes with more information about the film.
The film (originally silent) is accompanied by beautiful and haunting music composed by Laura Rossi.
You can find more WW1 Centenary events at: www.bathnes.gov.uk/WW1centenary.
Screenings across the area include:
Advance booking strongly recommended.
Radstock
- Sunday 13th November 14.30 at Victoria Hall
- Tickets from Victoria Hall – £3
- http://www.victoriahallradstock.co.uk/
Bath
- Monday 14th November 18.15 at The Little Theatre Cinema
- Tickets from Little Theatre Cinema – £5
- https://www.picturehouses.com/cinema/The_Little
Midsomer Norton
- Friday 18th November 18.30 at the Town Hall
- Tickets from Midsomer Norton Community Trust – £3
- http://www.midsomernortoncommunitytrust.co.uk/cinema/
Keynsham
- Thursday 24 November 19.45 at The Space
- Tickets from Keynsham Filmworks – £3
- http://keynshamfilmworks.co.uk/
The Battle of the Somme is certified PG and lasts 81 minutes. Tickets can be reserved from the individual venues
