The British made film ‘The battle of the Somme’ was made to inform the public of the recent proceedings that had occurred in France. The main event being the Somme battle. Until this time the British public had little to no insight, apart from letters, into the war. The film was a revolution in the cinema. For the first time in history a film shown to the public included violence, blood and death. Many people were extremely appalled at the violence. However this was the exact aim of the film, it was to muster a war spirit against the Germans and unite the nation. The messages that standout the most are that the British Army is 1st class at caring for their soldiers. They get top quality food 3 times a day, their medics are quick at treating the wounded and the soldiers get equal rest time to the time they spend on the frontline. They hoped these messages would encourage women to send their husbands and sons off to fight with a bit more enthusiasm. The combination of seeing the British army fighting well and winning the war made this film a huge hit. Nearly all the British public saw it at least once some even twice. Soon other allied publics took it on, such as New Zealand, Australia and Canada.
The film at the time of its release (1916) was believed to be completely factual and real. However soon it came to light that some of the scenes in the film were staged. Whether this was because it was too hard to get photographers with their heavy reels to the frontline or whether it was because the footage would be to gruesome and would have the complete opposite effect on the public that they wanted the film to have. A scene when the British went over the top of their trench to attack the Germans and other clip when the Germans trench was being bombarded by shells was filmed somewhere near Birmingham. These false scenes cast a shadow over the whole of the rest of the film as then you cannot be sure if the film is a completely trustworthy source. However most of the scenes are definitely true as they are backed up by other sources either by the soldiers themselves or in their letters. The Propaganda aspects of this film is very noticeable, the government’s description of what the film depicts use world such as triumphant, bravely and successfully to install the idea that the British are glorious and make terrific sacrifices to eliminate the German army. The Government used this film to express and emphasise the fact that they care for their soldiers and treat well and try to improve the conditions of their lives. The film also showed the public the domination that the British had over the Germans. Footage showed them firing massive shells at the enemy’s lines and those shells exploding terrifying the Germans. They included the Hawthorn mine blowing up which was filmed by Geoffrey malins to further enhance this point.
The propaganda element aside, I think this can be looked upon as a very solid and reliable piece of evidence as this is not only said to be true but you can judge it with your own eyes. So the bits that are staged can be clarified and separated from the bits that are not staged and are 100% fact. Other sources as well back the film up. The film is such a valuable source that by ignoring you are losing rock solid evidence and a good picture of the conditions of the World War 1 trenches and the lifestyle of the soldiers. It consists of most of the footage that can be found of World War 1. As well as shown to the people this film was also shown to the army’s new recruits to give them an idea of the war that they would be fighting. Soldiers in France also saw the film and if the film was completely edited and all for propaganda then it would have come to light one way or another. This is not to say that none of the film as edited. A premiere version of the unedited film was shown to an invited audience where Malins and McDowell’s shots were unchanged. However when about a week later the film came to public sowings it was heavily edited to spare the audience some of the most gruesome and shocking scenes.
Little other sources can disagree with the main facts that come out of the film so i think this film should be looked upon as fact. Even though some bits are staged it would be an opportunity missed if you didn’t take the film as a good reliable source.
