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Rare screening of famous Somme film at Clitheroe Castle

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Clitheroe Castle will give a rare screening to one of the most famous films ever made.

The Battle of the Somme, a UNESCO-listed documentary, was filmed in the build-up to and first day of the battle, and subsequently viewed by 20million people across the UK desperate for a glimpse of their loved ones.

On Thursday, 30 June, one hundred years later, the unique film, featuring a specially commissioned score by Laura Rossi, will be screened at the Atrium Café at Clitheroe Castle.

This rare screening is a collaboration between Lancashire County Council, Ribble Valley Borough Council and the Imperial War Museum.

It starts at 6pm and entrance is free, but booking is essential, as demand to watch the film is expected to be high.

The Battle of the Somme film gave an unprecedented insight into the realities of trench warfare, controversially including the depiction of dead and wounded soldiers. It includes footage of the 1st East Lancashire Regiment, 1st Lancashire Fusiliers and 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers.

The film was released on 21 August, 1916, and is believed to have received its first Lancashire screening in Lancaster on 5 October, 1916.

The film’s importance was recognised in 2005 by its inscription in the UNESCO Memory of the World register, one of the few films and first British documents of any kind to be included.

County Councillor Marcus Johnstone, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for environment, planning and cultural services, said: “The Somme was one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War, resulting in over one million casualties.

“The film is an historical record of the battle and a popular source of footage illustrating the First World War.

“The Battle of the Somme film was different. It took real life footage and turned it into a main feature with mass appeal.

“Throughout the autumn of 1916, 20 million people flocked to see it, which was nearly half the population of Britain at the time. The film remains one of the most watched in British cinema history, and I’m pleased that more people will get the chance to watch it at Clitheroe Castle.”

Ribble Valley Mayor Joyce Holgate said: “The Battle of the Somme had a profound impact on Lancashire people and the loss of life was devastating.

“Many Lancashire people flocked to see the film hoping to catch a glimpse of their loved ones, many of who sadly did not return.

“My father fought at and survived the Somme, and his recollections of life in the trenches were graphic. The horrors he witnessed and endured were unspeakable, and he went into battle not knowing that his younger brother, Francis, had been killed at Gallipoli.

“It is no surprise that this unique film is considered one of the most important documentaries ever made and we are honoured to be showing it at Clitheroe Castle as part of our Somme centenary.”

The first day of the Somme on 1 July was the bloodiest in British military history, with 57,740 casualties and 19,240 fatalities. By the end of the battle on 18 November, Britain, the Dominions, France and Germany had suffered a million casualties.

The film, shot between 25 June and 9 July by Geoffrey Malins and J. B. McDowell on hand-cranked cameras stands out for its close-up footage.

Anticipating the desire of the audience to spot their loved ones, the cameramen captured as many faces as possible, often encouraging the men to turn and acknowledge the camera.

It was the first film to record war in action and images such as ‘over the top’ and the mine explosion at Beaumont Hamel have come to represent the Western Front in popular memory.

The film screening is part of the Imperial War Museum’s First World War Centenary Partnership, a network of local, regional and international cultural and educational organisations hosting a programme of cultural events and activities.

It also forms part of Lancashire County Council’s and Ribble Valley Borough Council’s Somme centenary commemorations, including a day-long vigil on 1 July at Clitheroe Castle’s Unknown Soldier.

On 1 July, at 7.30am, a whistle will blow marking the start of the vigil, just as it did 100 years ago when solders went ‘over the top’. But instead of going into battle participants will stand on a plinth next to the Unknown Soldier for two minutes as a mark of respect.

At 7.30pm, the end of the vigil will be marked with a reading of Lancaster-born Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For the Fallen’ and the sounding of the Last Post by Clitheroe cornet player Alison Cowking.

Further details and bookings for the film and the vigil are available from the Clitheroe Castle Museum on 01200 424568.

Further details about the First World War Centenary Partnership’s Somme commemorations are available from www.1914.org.

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