The Battle of the Somme 1916

Shot on location on the Western Front in 1916, Battle of the Somme was produced privately and proved more popular than the official films that the War Office had made during the war despite being shockingly graphic. Audiences, well aware of the real conditions in the trenches, seemed to prefer a film that didn't try to pretend that war was easy or fun.

In this extract from the silent 80 minute documentary, a wounded soldier is carried on the back of a comrade through a trench

Watch more historic footage from our Film Archive or get creative in our Editor's Room at http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/focuson/film/

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Trenches
• Western
• Front

[Somme1916Somme]

Thankyou for this.

[THthefirst]

@Gianni7381 Please explain how the Allies were to bypass a three line German defence system, with 3 million men and heavy artillery defending it, stretching from the Alps to the North Sea, before the introduction of tanks or aircraft? Thanks.

[aMarinedaughter]

I've seen the footage of the man carrying the very young man on his back, repeatedly, but never known any details about it. The young man has a very new haircut, so I always felt that he had just gotten there. I'd be willing to bet that he wasn't more than 17 or 18. The man carrying him looks like he has been through Hell and feels old, although he probably isn't more than in his early 20s. These are images that people should see, and remember. Thanks for posting it.

[strathpipe]

I know we have Scottish Jocks.Irish Paddy's and Welsh Taffy's but who are these British Tommies? are they english then why not call them english Tommies? Never could figure this one out. Is it just the english being confused Again?

[PicalilyProductions]

@3Huba In meiner Revision heißt es, dass dieser Film als Propaganda gegen Menschen und wandte sich gegen den Krieg. Es ist so traurig zu wissen, dass viele dieser Soldaten im Krieg gestorben sind. Sorry über die schlechte Grammatik, ich bin mit Google Translate.

[PicalilyProductions]

2:25 That boy is so young.

It's scares me watching this film, but thank you for up loading it, it helped me with my revision

[3Huba]

englische propaganda.wie üblich.

schade,

[andii194]

If you want to see an excellent representation of the battle of the somme, search for the Somme channel 4 documentary on youtube.

[fpvshitsonhsv]

ww1 and ww2 were no game

[michaelwright999]

Thats the name of the game survive in any war.