WAR OFFICE OFFICIAL TOPICAL BUDGET 327-2 [Main Title]

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  • Title: WAR OFFICE OFFICIAL TOPICAL BUDGET 327-2 [Main Title]
  • Film Number: NTB 327-2
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: I. Stock footage of ammunition train. II. Cavalry training in Egypt. III. Competition for women farm workers. IV. Popular author Hall Caine commences work on a propagandist screenplay. V. Pétain reviews French troops after fighting in the Ailette Valley during the battle for the Chemin des Dames.
  • Description: I. 'HOT STUFF FOR FRITZ. An ammunition train of 9.2 shells going up to the Front.' HA as train passes diagonally left to right pulling open wagons filled with 9.2-inch shells and ammunition boxes - soldiers sit in each of the wagons. II. 'OUR CAVALRY IN EGYPT. Strenuous training, necessary, to keep men and horses fit, must be carried on in early morning on account of the fierce heat.' HA of squadron in formation, wheeling to reverse its course. Two ranks in line abreast ride through each other. Column walks along beach through shallows. Horse are ridden up a steep bank. III. 'ABLE GIRL FARMERS. Farmer critics were full of praise for the agricultural work done by the women, at their efficiency test, held at Maidstone.' Women contestants, each wearing a numbered armband, spray fruit trees - an audience of convalescent soldiers look on. Women planting with dibbers, topping a hay rick, ploughing with motor tractors. IV. 'HALL CAINE GETS TO WORK. At the request of the Prime Minister the famous Author is doing the scenario for a great War Film.' The famous author sits at his desk, holding an open book. When prompted he opens a small can of 35mm film and holds a length up to the light for scrutiny. Hall Caine looks out of his study window. He leaves his study to step out into the garden. V. 'AFTER THE AILETTE VICTORY. General Pétain reviews the Troops and decorates their Colours after the great engagement.' Troops pass in review over a grassy field. The men fallen in - Pétain salutes as he walks across in front of them. MS of soldiers holding some of the colours.
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM (NTB 327-2)
  • Featured Period: 1914-1918
  • Production Date: 1917-12-01
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: War Office (Production sponsor) Topical Film Company (Production company)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: Caine, (Thomas Henry) Hall (person) Pétain, Philippe (person) British Army, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, Remount Squadron 44 (regiment/service) James Edmonds and Sons (regiment/service) National War Aims Committee (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: supplies, British, movement [RA] - munitions (object name) transport, British military - rail: ammunition train (object name) weapons, British - shell: 9.2-inch shell (object name) animals, mammals: horse (object name) training, British - specialist: equestrian (object name) economics, British general - fairs: agricultural worker's competition (object name) propaganda, British - inspirational (object name) ceremonies, French - event-related: colours ceremony (object name) ceremonies, French - state: investiture (object name) Egypt (geography) Maidstone, Kent, England, UK (geography) (concept)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Silent Soundtrack language: None Title language: English Subtitle language: English
  • Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Footage: 296 ft; Running time: 3 mins
  • HD Media:Yes
  • Notes: Summary (item II): more of this film can be seen in IWM 2 Summary (item III): this test for Kentish women farm workers took place at Allington Farm, lent for the purpose by fruit growers Messrs James Edmonds and Sons. There were 200 competitors in 15 events. The most important test was for ploughing where each contestant had to drive one of the tractors and also ride the plough. Summary (item IV): 'The Times' for 10 November 1917 reported that the National War Aims Committee proposed to make as large a use as possible of the cinema in war aims propaganda. Hall Caine "promised to do his best", but nothing seems to have come of the project.
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    NTB 327-2

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