Birt Acres

The German Emperor Reviewing His Troops

Birt Acres

Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany

Directed by Birt Acres.

Rough Sea at Dover

Birt Acres

The surf pounds against a breakwater on which are visible several people standing. The wall looks to be about 20 feet above sea level and extend at least 100 feet into the water. A large wave rolls picturesquely along the wall toward the shore. Smaller waves follow. Then the scene changes to river water flowing. We see both shores: in the foreground a log and tree branch are visible; on the far shore, there appears to be a low wall with trees beyond it. The camera is stationary in both shots.

The Arrest of a Pickpocket

Birt Acres

A policeman catches a pickpocket with the assistance of a passing a sailor.

The Derby 1895

Birt Acres

A stationary camera, looking diagonally across a racetrack toward the infield, records the horses as they race past. Once they are out of view and the race is over, police officers run onto the infield. The crowd moves around.

The Boxing Kangaroo

Birt Acres

The Boxing Kangaroo is an 1896 British short black-and-white silent documentary film, produced and directed by Birt Acres for exhibition on Robert W. Paul’s peep show Kinetoscopes, featuring a young boy boxing with a kangaroo. The film was considered lost until footage from an 1896 Fairground Programme, originally shown in a portable booth at Hull Fair by Midlands photographer George Williams, donated to the National Fairground Archive was identified as being from this film.

Boxing Match; or, Glove Contest

Birt Acres

Staged boxing match between Sergeant-Instructor Barrett and Sergeant Pope, with a round, interval, and knockout.

Yarmouth Fishing Boats Leaving Harbour

Birt Acres

Yarmouth Fishing Boats Leaving Harbour is an 1896 British short black-and-white silent documentary film, directed by Birt Acres, featuring a fleet of fishing smacks leaving the harbour at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, UK. The "attractive Victorian film," was according to Christian Hayes of BFI Screenonline, "one of the twenty-one subjects presented by Birt Acres to the royal family on 21st July 1896, the day before the marriage of Princess Maud to Prince Charles of Denmark, at one of the very first royal film performances."

A Corner of Barnet Fair

Birt Acres

Shows a merry-go-round and some people sitting in a doorway while street traffic goes by.

Untitled Kinetoscope Comedy

Birt Acres

An 1895 British short black and white silent comedy film featuring two drunken men and a boy squabbling in a small bar.

Opening of the Kiel Canal

Birt Acres

The opening of the Kiel Canal in Germany by Kaiser Wilhelm II on 20 June 1895.

Persimmons Winning the Derby

Birt Acres

Persimmon winning the 1895 Epsom Derby.

Landing at Low Tide

Birt Acres

Brighton. Landing of party from small boat with comic incidents.

Performing Animals; or, Skipping Dogs

Birt Acres

A short black-and-white silent documentary film featuring one dog jumping through hoops and another dancing in a costume, which was considered lost until footage from an 1896 Fairground Programme was identified as being from this film.