There will be special showings of the 1916 film, ‘The Battle of the Somme’ this November to commemorate the WWI centenary.

Imperial War Museums (IWM) and Bath and North East Somerset Council are working together to show the UNESCO listed film to audiences across the area. Filmed and screened in 1916, it was the first feature length documentary about war and changed the way both cinema and film was perceived by the public.

In the year of its release, around 20 million people (almost half the population of Britain at the time) watched ‘The Battle of the Somme’, many hoping to see the image of a loved-one or friend captured on screen. The film includes footage filmed during the months of the battle, with some re-constructed scenes.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones (Con., Lansdown), Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “The Battle

of the Somme’ was shown to packed audiences in cinemas, and it is hard to imagine what it must have been like to watch in 1916. In Bath, it was shown at the Vaudeville Picture Theatre (opposite Komedia in Westgate Street) and the Picturedrome (long since demolished in Southgate Street), with tickets priced at 1s (5p), 7d (3p) and 4d (2p). One hundred years later, this unique film from IWM’s collection is being shown to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.”

Screenings in Bath, Keynsham, Midsomer Norton and Radstock will all feature a short introduction and free film notes with more information about the film. The film, (originally silent), is accompanied by beautiful and haunting music composed by Laura Rossi.

Advance booking is strongly recommended, with tickets from all venues. The film can be seen in Radstock on Sunday, 13th November, 2.30 p.m. at Victoria Hall; Bath on Monday, 14th November, 5.15 p.m. at The Little Theatre Cinema;

Midsomer Norton on Friday, 18th November, 6.30 p.m. at the Town Hall; Keynsham on Thursday, 24th November, 7.45 p.m. at The Space.

‘The Battle of the Somme’ is certified PG – 81 minutes. See more WWI Centenary events at: www.bathnes.gov.uk/WW1centenary