Rare chance to see even rarer film of First World War tanks in action - The Redditch Standard

Rare chance to see even rarer film of First World War tanks in action

Redditch Editorial 2nd Oct, 2018 Updated: 2nd Oct, 2018   0

THERE’S a rare chance to see the little-known masterpiece ‘The Battle of the Ancre and Advance of the Tanks’ at the Hive Centre in Worcester this Thursday, October 4.

Featuring a special introduction by composer Laura Rossi is comes as the Imperial War Museums and the Worcestershire World War One Hundred team work to bring the film, made in 1917, to audiences across the world.

The film will be shown at The Hive at 5.30pm and Laura, who was commissioned to create the score by the Imperial War Museum will talk about her work and her on-going collaboration with the museum.

The Battle of the Ancre and the Advance of The Tanks is a little-known masterpiece of British non-fiction cinema which documents the autumn and winter stages of the Somme campaign on the Western Front.




Including the first ever scenes of tanks in battle, the film also conveys, with power and artistry, the difficulties experienced by the British Army as it fought on over ground beset in a sea of mud.

More than 100 years later, this unique film from the Imperial War Museum’s collection is being shown to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War.


Adrian Gregson, Worcestershire World War One Hundred project manager said: “This is an opportunity for people across the county to watch a film that gives a unique insight into the final stages of the Great War.

“We are delighted that for this first screening we will be joined by Laura Rossi whose wonderful score brings the film to life.

“As part of our programme this screening is free and we hope to see a full house on Thursday, October 4 at The Hive.”

Book your tickets for The Battle of the Ancre and Advance of the Tanks at https://e-services.worcestershire.gov.uk/LibraryEvents/EventDetails.aspx?id=544 or call 01905 822866.

Anyone who can’t make this Thursday can look forward to future screenings on November 9-10.

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