4 April

Battle of the Somme (Dir.Geoffrey Malins, 1916)  (Screening format – not known, 77mins)  The Battle of the Somme gave its 1916 audience an unprecedented insight into the realities of trench warfare, controversially including the depiction of dead and wounded soldiers. It shows scenes of the build-up to the infantry offensive including the massive preliminary bombardment, coverage of the first day of the battle (the bloodiest single day in Britain’s military history) and depictions of the small gains and massive costs of the attack. The Battle of the Somme remains one of the most successful British films ever made. It is estimated over 20 million tickets were sold in Great Britain in the first two months of release, and the film was distributed world-wide to demonstrate to allies and neutrals Britain’s commitment to the First World War. It is the source of many of that conflict’s most iconic images. It was made by British official cinematographers Geoffrey Malins and John McDowell. Though it was not intended as a feature film, once the volume and quality of their footage had been seen in London, the British Topical Committee for War Films decided to compile a feature-length film.  Find out more at wikipedia.org.   Presented as part of the Somme100Film Centenary Tour.  With live orchestral accompaniment by  Suffolk Youth Orchestra, Conducted by Philip Shaw.   The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk Link

5 April

Battle of the Somme (Dir.Geoffrey Malins, 1916)  (Screening format – not known, 77mins)  For film details see 4 April above.     Presented as part of the Somme100Film Centenary Tour.    With live orchestral accompaniment by  Suffolk Youth Orchestra, Conducted by Philip Shaw.  Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Snape, Suffolk Link

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