Donated by Sheffield archives, the origins of this film are unknown. It is however an example of the actuality genre of early films, a genre that captured short, simple films which offer a view of everyday life.  A popular subject of actuality films was street scenes, and several films were usually shown as a collection in music halls, public halls, and at fairgrounds as part of a programme of entertainment. Further examples of actuality films are Bradford Town Hall Square and Leeds Street...

Donated by Sheffield archives, the origins of this film are unknown. It is however an example of the actuality genre of early films, a genre that captured short, simple films which offer a view of everyday life.  A popular subject of actuality films was street scenes, and several films were usually shown as a collection in music halls, public halls, and at fairgrounds as part of a programme of entertainment. Further examples of actuality films are Bradford Town Hall Square and Leeds Street Scenes.

 

The term ‘actuality’ or ‘actualités’ was coined by the Lumière brothers, Auguste and Louis, from France, who were pioneers in early film production; the first actuality film to be publicly shown was Louis’ Workers leaving the Lumière factory, made in 1894.

In April, 2004 1,423 of the Lumière films were added to UNESCO’s ‘Memories of the World’ register because they were “the first example of a phenomenon which has now spread across the globe: the public showing of film” and “although most of the Lumière films are static shots, the cameramen’s inventiveness was such that they produced the first examples of cinematographic effects (zoom, editing by stopping the camera and panoramic shots)” (Todorovich, 2-3).

 

Examples of actuality films also come from Britain with prominent figures Robert W. Paul and Birt Acres, they had a short partnership in 1895 during which they produced The Derby and The Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race. Acres, following the dissolving of their partnership went on to direct and produce several more films before concentrating on producing a projector which could be used to show his films. Paul, on the other hand, branched out into comedy films but had originally concentrated on actuality films one key example being Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Procession (1897).

 

Important events of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, particularly involving the royal family, such as jubilee processions, provided ideal subjects for actuality films in Great Britain.  Edward VII’s Coronation is no exception. After the success of the nationwide celebrations of Queen Victoria’s Golden and Diamond Jubilees the Coronation had to be a great expression of imperial power, thus Edward’s aim for the Coronation was “to make the event an illustration of the power of the British Empire, the loyalty of its people and the unity of its complex races” (Hopkins, 368). The Coronation was originally scheduled to be on the 26th June 1902 but had to be postponed until 9th August, due to Edward suffering from perityphlitis – a condition similar to appendicitis. A two week programme of events was planned, some of which took place on the scheduled date despite the postponing of the Coronation, including the ‘Coronation Dinner for the Poor of London’ and the publication of the Coronation honours which went ahead according to the Coronation plan to avoid disappointment. A key focus of Edward VII’s career was on the welfare state, and consequently proceeds of a number of events went to charities such as the Kind Edward’s Hospital Fund and Ormonde Street Hospital for Children.

 

As per Edward’s wishes the Coronation demonstrated the enormity and diversity of the British Empire by the vast numbers of representatives from across the Empire who were present at many of the Coronation celebrations in London.  The processions gave London a “kaleidoscopic colour” (Hopkins, 397) due to the flags, uniforms and crests of the representatives (both military and diplomatic) of the Empire. However, street celebrations weren’t just limited to the capital as Sheffield Tram Decorated for 1902 Coronation indicates. Across the country bunting and flags were hung in the streets, public transport vehicles were decorated and services were held in churches followed by town processions.

References:

See also: Edward VII opens Sheffield University and Queen Victoria Visits Sheffield

Boris Todorovich, Memory of the World Register Lumière Films, 2004 (available as a pdf online at http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/CI/CI/pdf/mow/nomination_forms/lumiere_films.pdf) 

J. Castell Hopkins, The Life of King Edward with a sketch of the career of George V, 1910 (available online at http://www.gutenberg.org/files/25112/25112-h/25112-h.htm#Page_368)

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