List of British films before 1920 explained

List of British films from 1888 to 1919:

1888–1913

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
1888
Roundhay Garden SceneAdolphe Le Prince, Sarah Whitley, Joseph Whitley Live action The world's earliest surviving film
1889
Leisurely Pedestrians, Open Topped Buses and Hansom Cabs with Trotting Horses Live action
1890
London's Trafalgar SquareLive action 10 frames only, believed never shown publicly
1895
The Clown BarberComedy
The DerbyDocumentary A silent film of that year's Derby
Opening of the Kiel CanalDocumentary
The Oxford and Cambridge University Boat RaceDocumentary A silent film of that year's race
Rough Sea at DoverDocumentary
1896
Breakers
A Sea Cave Near Lisbon Documentary
Rocky Shore
A Soldier's Courtship Drama
Barnet Horse FairDocumentary
The Boxing Kangaroo Documentary
Boxing Match; or, Glove Contest Documentary
1897
The Miller and the Sweep G.A. Smith
Women Fetching Water from the Nile
Weary Willie G.A. Smith
Tipsy-Topsy-Turvy G.A. Smith
The Sign Writer
Nursing the Baby
Making Sausages
The Maid in the Garden
The Haunted Castle
Hanging Out the Clothes
Gymnastics - Indian Club Performer
Comic Shaving
Comic Face aka Man Drinking (UK)
Children Paddling at the Seaside
The X-Rays
1898
Come, Along Do!
Waves and Spray
The Runaway Knock
A Practical Joke
The Policeman, the Cook and the Copper
Photographing a Ghost
The Miller and the Sweep
The Mesmerist
The Lady Barber
Faust and Mephistopheles Horror
The Corsican Brothers
Cinderella
Animated Clown Portrait
Ally Sloper
1899
Major Wilson's Last StandWar Studio: Levi, Jones & Company. Based on the historical events of the Shangani Patrol (1893)
The Visit of Santa Claus
The Legacy
The Kiss in the Tunnel
A Good Joke
Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
The Haunted Curiosity ShopHorror
The Miser's DoomHorror
1900
A Wreck in a Galeunknownshort; documentary
As Seen Through a TelescopeShort
The Beggar's DeceitCecil Hepworth
Explosion of a Motor CarCecil Hepworth
Grandma's Reading Glassnone Drama One minute film
A Railway Collisionnone Drama 22 secs film
1901
Scrooge; or, Marley's GhostnoneShort11 minutes long (5 minutes surviving)
The Death of Poor Joe
1903
A Daring Daylight Burglary Frank Mottershaw
Alice in Wonderland8 minutes long
Desperate Poaching AffrayWill Haggar Jr. Chase3 minutes long
Mary Jane's MishapGeorge Albert Smith
Sick KittenGeorge Albert Smith
1905
Baby's ToiletCecil HepworthDocumentary3 minutes long
Rescued by RoverDrama 6 minutes long
1906
Flying the Foam and Some Fancy DivingJames Williamson short comedy
The '?' Motoristshort comedy
1907
Ben HurSidney OlcottHistorical 15 minutes long
The Sleigh BelleSidney Olcott
1908
A Visit to the SeasideGeorge Albert Smith
1909
The Airship Destroyer Science fiction
1910
The Blue BirdUnknown Comedy
1911
Aerial AnarchistsWalter BoothScience fiction
A Primitive Man's Career to CivilizationDrama
Princess ClementinaAdventure
1912
Oliver Twist Drama
With Our King and Queen Through IndiaDocumentary
1913
Adrift on Life's Tide Drama
David Copperfield Drama
David Garrick Historical
East Lynne Drama
The Forsaken Crime
Greater Love Hath No Man Drama
HamletHay PlumbJohnston Forbes-Robertson, Gertrude ElliottDrama
The Harper Mystery Drama
The House of TemperleyHarold M. ShawCharles Maude, Ben WebsterDrama
In the Hands of London Crooks Crime
Ivanhoe Leedham Bantock Historical
Kissing Cup Jack Hulcup Sports
Maria Marten, or the Mystery of the Red BarnDrama
A Message from Mars J. Wallett Waller Sci-fi
A Midnight Adventure Drama
One Fair Daughter Drama
Popsy Wopsy [1]
Scrooge Drama
A Throw of the Dice Drama
The Vicar of Wakefield Drama

1914

width=21% Titlewidth=16% Directorwidth=22% Castwidth=13% Genrewidth=28% Notes
Beauty and the Barge Comedy
The Black Spot Crime
The Bosun's Mate Comedy
The Brass Bottle Fantasy
By Whose Hand? Crime
Called Back Crime
The Chimes Drama
A Christmas Carol Drama
Creatures of Clay Crime
The Cry of the Captive Drama
The Cup Final Mystery Sports
The Difficult Way Drama
England Expects Drama
England's Menace War drama
Enoch Arden Drama
Eugene AramEdwin J. CollinsJack Leigh, Lionel d'AragonHistorical
For Her People Drama
The Girl Who Lived in Straight Street Drama
The Harbour Lights Drama
The Heart of Midlothian Historical
Justice Crime
The King's Minister Thriller
The King's Romance Adventure
Her Luck in London Drama
The Idol of Paris Drama
In the Days of Trafalgar Historical
In the Ranks Crime
In the Shadow of Big Ben Thriller
The Incomparable Bellairs Drama
Lawyer QuinceComedy
Liberty Hall Harold M. ShawComedy
The Life of ShakespeareFrank R. Growcott, J.B. McDowellAlbert Ward, George FoleyBiopic
Lights of LondonBert HaldaneArthur Chesney, Fred PaulDrama
Little Lord Fauntleroy Drama
The Loss of the Birkenhead Historical
The Lure of London Drama
The Midnight Wedding Drama
The Murdoch Trial Drama
The Old Curiosity ShopThomas BentleyDrama
Old St. Paul's Historical
On His Majesty's Service Thriller
The Ring and the Rajah Crime
She Stoops to ConquerComedy Based on the play by Oliver Goldsmith
The Shepherd Lassie of Argyle Drama
Shopgirls Florence Turner, Hector Dion Drama
The Stress of Circumstance Crime
A Study in ScarletDrama First film to feature Sherlock Holmes
The Suicide Club Drama
The Third String Sports
Through the Valley of Shadows Drama
Trilby Drama
The Whirr of the Spinning Wheel Romance
The World, the Flesh and the Devil Drama

1915

width=21% Titlewidth=16% Directorwidth=22% Castwidth=13% Genrewidth=28% Notes
Alone in London Drama
As Ye Repent Drama
The Baby on the BargeCecil HepworthAlma Taylor, Stewart RomeDrama
Barnaby RudgeThomas BentleyTom Powers, Stewart RomeDrama Based on Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens
Be Sure Your Sins Drama
The Bottle Drama
Brother Officers War drama
The Christian Drama Adaptation of the novel and play by Hall Caine
Charity Ann Drama
A Cinema Girl's Romance Drama
The Coal King Drama
The Derby Winner Sports
Far from the Madding CrowdLaurence TrimbleDrama
Fight for the DardanellesWorld War I documentary
Fine Feathers Drama
The Firm of Girdlestone Drama
Five Nights Romance
Florence Nightingale Biopic
Flying from Justice Crime
From Shopgirl to Duchess Drama
The Golden Pavement Drama
The Great Adventure Comedy
Hard Times Drama
The Heart of a Child Drama
The Heart of Sister AnnDrama
Her Boy Drama
Her Nameless Child Drama
Home Drama
Honeymoon for ThreeMaurice ElveyCharles Hawtrey, Elisabeth RisdonComedy
Infelice Drama
Iron Justice Crime
Jack Tar War
Jane ShoreBert Haldane, F. Martin ThorntonBlanche Forsythe, Roy TraversHistorical
John Halifax, GentlemanGeorge PearsonFred Paul, Peggy HylandDrama
The King's Outcast Drama
A Lancashire Lass Crime
The Little Minister Romance
Lost and Won Drama
Love in a Wood Comedy
The Man in the Attic Crime
A Man of His Word Drama
The Man Who Stayed at Home Thriller
The Man with the Scar Crime
Married for Money Crime drama
Master and Man Drama
The Middleman Adventure
Midshipman Easy Adventure
Mr. Lyndon at Liberty Thriller
My Old Dutch Drama
The Mystery of a Hansom Cab Crime
The Nightbirds of London Crime
1914 War
The Prisoner of ZendaGeorge Loane TuckerHenry Ainley, Jane GailAdventure
The Rogues of London Thriller
A Rogue's Wife Crime
Royal Love Adventure
Rupert of HentzauGeorge Loane TuckerHenry Ainley, Jane GailAdventure
The Shulamite Drama
The Sons of Satan Crime
Sweet Lavender Romance
The Third GenerationDrama
Tommy Atkins War
The Traitor War
The Two Roads Crime
Under the Red Robe Historical
A Welsh Singer Drama
The White Hope Sports
The White Star Drama
A Will of Her Own Drama
The Woman Who Did drama
The World's Desire Drama

1916

width=21% Titlewidth=16% Directorwidth=22% Castwidth=13% Genrewidth=28% Notes
Altar Chains Crime
Annie LaurieCecil HepworthAlma Taylor, Stewart RomeRomance
The Answer Drama
Arsène Lupin Crime
The Battle of the SommeFirst World War Documentary/Propaganda
Beau BrocadeThomas BentleyMercy Hatton, Charles RockAdventure/Drama Based on a novel by Baroness Orczy
The Broken Melody Romance
A Bunch of Violets Drama
The Chance of a Lifetime Sports
The Charlatan Drama
Comin' Thro' the Rye Drama
Cynthia in the Wilderness Drama
Diana and Destiny Drama
DisraeliCharles Calvert
Percy Nash
Dennis Eadie, Mary JerroldBiopicBased on a play by Louis N. Parker
Doorsteps Drama
Driven Drama
Dr. Wake's Patient Romance
East Is EastHenry EdwardsFlorence Turner, Henry EdwardsDrama
Esther Historical
Eve's Daughter Drama
A Fair Impostor Drama
A Fallen Star Drama
Fatal Fingers Crime
The Game of Liberty Comedy
The Girl Who Didn't Care Drama
The Girl Who Loves a Soldier War
The Grand Babylon HotelFrank WilsonFred Wright, Marguerite BlancheThriller
The Greater Need Drama
The Green Orchard Drama
Grim Justice Drama
The Hard Way Crime
Her Greatest PerformanceFred PaulEdith Craig, Ellen TerryCrime
His Daughter's Dilemma drama
Honour in Pawn Crime
The House of Fortescue Drama
The Hypocrites Drama
Iris Romance
It's Always the WomanWilfred NoyHayden Coffin, Daisy BurrellDrama
Just a GirlRomanceBased on a novel by Charles Garvice
Kent, the Fighting ManA.E. ColebyBilly Wells, Hetty PayneSport
The King's Daughter Gerald Ames, Janet Ross Historical
Lady Windermere's Fan Comedy
The Lifeguardsman Frank G. Bayley Adventure
The Little Damozel Drama
The Lyons MailFred PaulHarry Irving, Nancy PriceDramaBased on the play The Courier of Lyons by Charles Reade
The Man Who Bought London Crime
The Man Without a Soul Drama
The Manxman Drama
The Marriage of William AsheDrama [2]
Me and Me Moke Comedy
Meg the Lady Crime
The Merchant of VeniceWalter WestHutin Britton, Matheson LangDrama
MilestonesThomas BentleyIsobel Elsom, Owen NaresDrama
Molly Bawn Drama
Mother Love Drama
The Mother of Dartmoor Drama
The New Clown Fred PaulComedy
On the Banks of Allan Water Drama
Partners at Last Crime
The Picture of Dorian Gray Horror
A Place in the Sun Drama
The Real Thing at LastL.C. MacBean Comedy
Sally Bishop Romance
Sally in Our AlleyLaurence Trimble Romance [3]
The Second Mrs Tanqueray Drama
She Adventure
Sir James Mortimer's WagerLeslie Seldon-TrussGodfrey Tearle, Peggy HylandRomance[4]
A Soldier and a Man War drama
Sowing the Wind Romance
Still Waters Run Deep Crime
Tom Brown's SchooldaysRex WilsonJoyce Templeton, Jack ColemanDrama
Trapped by the London Sharks Drama
Trelawny of the Wells Romance
Ultus and the Grey LadyCrime drama [5]
Ultus and the Secret of the Night Crime
The Valley of FearDetective dramaSherlock Holmes mystery based on a story by Conan Doyle
The Vicar of Wakefield Historical
Vice Versa Fantasy
A Welsh Singer Drama
When Knights Were Bold Gerald Ames, Marjorie Day Comedy
Whoso Is Without Sin Drama

1917

width=21% Titlewidth=16% Directorwidth=22% Castwidth=13% Genrewidth=28% Notes
The American Heiress Crime
Auld Lang SyneSidney MorganViolet Graham, Henry BayntonCrime
A Bid for Fortune Crime
The Blindness of Fortune Drama
Broken Threads Drama
The Cobweb Thriller
The Cost of a KissAdrian BrunelBertram Wallis, Ethel GriffiesDrama
DaddyThomas BentleyLanghorn Burton, William LuggDrama
Derelicts Drama
Dombey and SonMaurice ElveyNorman McKinnel, Lilian Braithwaite, Hayford HobbsDrama
Drink Drama
The Eternal Triangle Romance
Everybody's Business Ralph DewsburyNorman McKinnel, Gerald du MaurierDrama
Flames Drama
For All EternityArthur Rooke, A.E. ColebyJanet Alexander, Malvina LongfellowCrime
A Gamble for Love Sports
The Gay Lord QuexMaurice ElveyBen Webster, Irene VanbrughComedy
The Grit of a Jew Drama
The Happy Warrior Sports
Her Marriage Lines Crime
Holy OrdersArthur Rooke, A.E. ColebyMalvina Longfellow, Maud YatesRomance
The House OppositeWalter West, Frank WilsonMatheson Lang, Violet HopsonDrama
In Another Girl's Shoes Romance
JusticeMaurice ElveyGerald du Maurier, Hilda MooreCrime
The Labour LeaderThomas BentleyFred Groves, Fay ComptonDrama
The Laughing Cavalier Adventure
Little WomenAlexander ButlerDaisy Burrell, Minna GreyDrama
The Lost Chord Drama
Love's Old Sweet Song Drama
The Man Behind 'The Times' Drama
Mary Girl Norman McKinnel, Margaret Bannerman, Edward O'NeillDrama
Masks and FacesFred PaulIrene Vanbrugh, Gerald du MaurierBiopic
Merely Mrs. Stubbs Drama
A Munition Girl's Romance Thriller
My Lady's Dress Drama
Nearer My God to Thee Drama
One Summer's Day Frank G. Bayley Drama
A Pit Boy's RomanceArthur Rooke, A.E. ColebyJimmy Wilde, Tommy NobleDrama
The Princess of Happy Chance Romance
Profit and the Loss Drama
The Profligate Drama
The Ragged MessengerDrama
Smith Romance
The Sorrows of Satan Fantasy
Tom Jones Historical
Ultus and the Three-Button Mystery Crime
The Village BlacksmithArthur Rooke, A.E. ColebyJanet Alexander, Arthur RookeDrama
The Ware Case Walter WestDrama
What Every Woman Knows Comedy
The Woman Who Was Nothing Crime

1918

width=21% Titlewidth=16% Directorwidth=22% Castwidth=13% Genrewidth=28% Notes
Adam BedeMaurice ElveyBransby Williams, Ivy CloseDramaAdapted from the novel by George Eliot
The Admirable Crichton Comedy
Ave Maria Drama
Because Drama
Betta, the Gipsy Romance
Big Money Drama
Bonnie Mary Romance
Boundary House Drama
ConsequencesArthur RookeGordon Craig, Joyce TempletonComedy
Deception Crime
Democracy War
The Divine GiftThomas BentleyJoyce Dearsley, Henrietta WatsonDrama
The Elder Miss Blossom Drama
A Fortune at Stake Drama
God and the ManEdwin J. CollinsLanghorn Burton, Joyce CareyDrama
God Bless Our Red, White and Blue Drama
Goodbye Drama
The Great Game Drama
The Great Impostor Drama
The Greatest Wish in the World Romance
The Hanging Judge Drama
Hindle WakesMaurice ElveyDrama
Jo the Crossing Sweeper Drama
The Key of the World J.L.V. Leigh Romance
The Kiddies in the RuinsGeorge PearsonEmmy Lynn, Hugh E. WrightWar
The Life Story of David Lloyd George Biopic
The Man and the Moment Drama
The Man Who Won Romance
Meg o' the Woods Bertram PhillipsRomance
Missing the Tide Drama
My Sweetheart Comedy
Nature's Gentleman Romance
NelsonMaurice ElveyDonald Calthrop, Malvina LongfellowBiopic
Not Negotiable Crime
On Leave Crime
Once Upon a TimeThomas BentleyLauri de Frece, Manora ThewRomance
Onward Christian Soldiers Romance
The Passing of the Third Floor BackHerbert BrenonJohnston Forbes-Robertson, Molly PearsonDrama
A Peep Behind the ScenesKenelm Foss, Geoffrey H. MalinsIvy Close, Gerald AmesDrama
Red PottageMeyrick MiltonC. Aubrey Smith, Mary Dibley and Gerald AmesDrama
Rock of AgesBertram PhillipsQueenie Thomas, Leslie GeorgeDrama
The Romance of Old Bill War comedy
A Romany Lass Drama
The Secret Woman Drama
The Slave Drama
The Snare Romance
Spinner o' Dreams Drama
The Splendid Coward Crime
ThelmaArthur RookeMalvina Longfellow, Maud YayesDrama
The Ticket-of-Leave Man Crime
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor Drama
The Top Dog Drama
The Touch of a Child Drama
Towards the Light Drama
A Turf Conspiracy Sports
Victory and PeaceHerbert BrenonWar
The Wages of Sin Drama
The Way of an Eagle War drama
What Would a Gentleman Do? Comedy
The Woman Wins Crime

1919

width=21% Titlewidth=16% Directorwidth=22% Castwidth=13% Genrewidth=28% Notes
1919
12.10 Herbert BrenonMarie Doro, Ben WebsterThriller
After Many Days Drama
All Men Are Liars Drama
Angel EsquireW.P. KellinoAurelio Sidney, Gertrude McCoyCrime
The Artistic TemperamentFred GoodwinsLouis Willoughby, Margot KellyRomance
The BeetleAlexander ButlerMaudie Dunham, Fred MorganHorror
Barnaby Drama
Bladys of the Stewpony Drama
The Bridal Chair Romance
Broken in the Wars Drama
Castle of Dreams Drama
The Chinese Puzzle Crime
City of Beautiful NonsenseHenry EdwardsChrissie White, Henry EdwardsDrama
ComradeshipMaurice ElveyGerald Ames, Lily Elsie, Guy NewallDrama
Convict 99 Drama
The Cry for Justice Albert G. Frenguelli Crime
Damaged GoodsAlexander ButlerCampbell Gullan, Marjorie DayDrama
A Daughter of EveWalter WestViolet Hopson, Stewart RomeCrime
The Disappearance of the Judge Mystery
The Double Life of Mr. Alfred BurtonArthur RookeKenelm Foss, Ivy DukeComedy
Edge O' Beyond Drama
The Elusive Pimpernel Adventure
Fancy DressKenelm FossGodfrey Tearle, Ivy DukeComedy
Father O'Flynn Drama
Fettered Drama
The First Men in the MoonSci Fi/Fantasy
The Flag Lieutenant War drama
The Forest on the HillCecil HepworthAlma Taylor, James CarewCrime
The Further Exploits of Sexton Blake Crime
Gamblers All Crime
The Garden of ResurrectionArthur RookeGuy Newall, Ivy DukeDrama
The Gentleman Rider Sports
God's ClayArthur RookeJanet Alexander, Humberston WrightDrama
God's Good Man Drama
A Great CoupGeorge Dewhurst, Walter WestSports
The Greater Love Drama
The Green TerrorW.P. KellinoAurelio Sidney, Heather ThatcherCrime
Heart and SoulA.V. BrambleGeorge Keene, Constance WorthCrime
The Heart of a Rose Drama
Her Cross Drama
Her HeritageBannister MerwinJack Buchanan, Phyllis MonkmanCrime
His Dearest Possession Drama
His Last Defence Crime
The Homemaker Romance
I WillKenelm Foss, Hubert HerrickGuy Newall, Ivy DukeComedy
The Impossible Woman Comedy
In the Gloaming Drama
The Irresistible Flapper Comedy
Keeper of the Door Drama
The KinsmanHenry EdwardsJames Carew, Henry Edwards Comedy
'The Knave of Hearts' Romance
The Lackey and the LadyThomas BentleyLeslie Howard, A.E. MatthewsDrama
The Lads of the Village Comedy
The Lady Clare Drama
The Lamp of Destiny Drama
A Lass o' the Looms Drama
The Life of a London Actress Romance
Linked by FateAlbert WardIsobel Elsom, Malcolm CherryDrama
A Little Bit of FluffComedy
The Man Who Forgot Drama
The March HareFrank MillerGodfrey Tearle, Ivy DukeComedy
A Member of Tattersall'sAlbert WardSports
Midnight GambolsJames C. McKayMarie Doro, Godfrey TearleDrama
Mrs. Thompson Rex WilsonMinna Grey, C.M. HallardDrama
Mr. Wu Maurice ElveyMatheson Lang, Roy Royston, Lillah McCarthy, Meggie AlbanesiDrama
The Nature of the Beast Drama
Nobody's ChildGeorge Edwardes-HallJose Collins, Godfrey TearleDrama
Not Guilty Comedy
The Odds Against HerAlexander ButlerMilton Rosmer, Edna DormeuilDrama
Onward Christian SoldiersRex WilsonIsobel Elsom, Owen NaresRomance
Pallard the Punter J.L.V. Leigh Sports
Patricia Brent, Spinster Comedy
The Polar Star Mystery
PossessionHenry EdwardsHenry Edwards, Chrissie WhiteRomance
The Power of Right War
Queen's EvidenceJames MacKayGodfrey Tearle, Unity MoreAdventure
QuinneysRex WilsonHenry Ainley, Isobel ElsomRomance
The Right Element Rex WilsonCampbell Gullan, Miriam FerrisDrama
The Rocks of Valpre Drama
The Romance of Lady Hamilton Historical
Drama
The Sands of Time Drama
The Secret of the MoorLouis WilloughbyGwen Williams, Philip HewlandDrama
Shackleton's Expedition to the AntarcticDocumentary
ShebaDrama
The Silver GreyhoundBannister MerwinJames Knight, Marjorie VillisCrime
The Silver Lining Sports
The Single ManA.V. BrambleCecil Mannering, Doris LyttonDrama
A Sinless Sinner Drama
A Smart SetA.V. BrambleConcordia Merrel, Neville PercyCrime
Snow in the Desert Drama
The Soul of Guilda Lois Drama
Splendid Folly Romance
The Starting PointEdwin J. CollinsConstance Worth, Evan ThomasDrama
Sunken Rocks Drama
Sweet and Twenty Romance
The Swindler Drama
The Thundercloud Crime
The Toilers Tom Watts Drama
Tower of Strength Romance
Under Suspicion Walter WestDrama
The Usurper Drama
The Warrior Strain War
Westward Ho! Historical
When It Was Dark Drama
Whosoever Shall Offend Crime
Wisp o' the WoodsCecil M. Hepworth, Louis WilloughbyConstance Worth, Evan ThomasRomance
Women Who Win Drama

See also

References

  1. Web site: Popsy Wopsy (1913). https://web.archive.org/web/20190221112113/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b75a27eca. dead. February 21, 2019.
  2. Web site: The Marriage of William Ashe (1916). https://web.archive.org/web/20190221112055/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b74108a02. dead. February 21, 2019.
  3. Web site: Sally in Our Alley (1916). https://web.archive.org/web/20190221112043/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7d991038. dead. February 21, 2019.
  4. Web site: Sir James Mortimer's Wager (1916). https://web.archive.org/web/20190221112003/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6ba20fd1. dead. February 21, 2019.
  5. Web site: Ultus 3: The Grey Lady (1916). https://web.archive.org/web/20190221054759/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6b955762. dead. February 21, 2019.

External links