An actuality and reportage film. This film captures Lord Frederick Roberts (British Army rank Field Marshal) departing England for South Africa on 23rd December 1899, where he commanded British forces for a year in the Second Boer War. The ship in this film is the RMS Dunottar Castle. Going with Roberts is his chief of staff, Lord Kitchener, whose future role as Secretary Of State for War during World War One awaits him. This film was produced and distributed by the Warwick Trading Company, a London based company at its peak at this time, involved in the majority of British films.The Warwick Trading Company specialised in travel, reportage and actuality films and had substantial catalogues. Charles Urban had taken over as managing director in 1897 and was in that role when this film was produced. According to the BFI programme entry, the company had a large amount of resources already in South Africa. This meant they could capture historic moments as part of its Boer War coverage.

The story of British officer T.E. Lawrence's mission to aid the Arab tribes in their revolt against ...

In 1920s Ireland young doctor Damien O'Donovan prepares to depart for a new job in a London hospital...

This historical film depicts the life of a man who was at the mercy of the waves during transition f...

Nathan Algren is an American hired to instruct the Japanese army in the ways of modern warfare, whic...

An Irish rogue uses his cunning and wit to work his way up the social classes of 18th century Englan...

Battered, bandaged and playing croquet on crutches, wounded First World War soldiers get a break fro...

This intriguing and beautifully-shot newsreel features sea-faring heroes, feisty females and a gener...

Robert Gould Shaw leads the US Civil War's first all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices of...

After an abrupt and violent encounter with a French warship inflicts severe damage upon his ship, a ...

During the War of 1812 against Britain: General Andrew Jackson has only 1,200 men left to defend New...

The story revolves around the British finding out that Tok Gajah intends to go to Terengganu to seek...

For six hundred years Sweden had controlled most of Finland until the war with Russia that ended in ...

A disgraced officer risks his life to help his childhood friends in battle.

On January 31, 1857, the French writer Gustave Flaubert (1821-80) took his place in the dock for con...

Ken Russell revisits the life of Elgar, with musical background provided by the composer's works.

New York trapper Tom Dobb becomes an unwilling participant in the American Revolution after his son ...

An intimate story set during the 1860s in which a young Irish woman Sarah and her family find themse...

A grandfather recalls how he and his wife met and fell in love during the Second Italian War of Inde...

The Impressionists are the most popular group in art history – millions flock every year to marvel a...