1917 on Film: Pathé promotes Allied preparations for WWI

1,874 views · Published 21 January 2017 · 3:22 · Indexed 12 October 2026

Channel: BFI · 2017 · Film & Animation

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Empire Troops shows the might of the British Empire being mobilised for war during 1914 and 1915.

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This episode of Pathé's History of the Great War series focuses on troops from across the British Empire. The film seems designed to show the different nations in a very positive light, as you might expect - the Canadian Scots drilling and larking about on Salisbury Plain look good-humoured and efficient, the Indians marching along the quayside at Marseilles are admired by the locals, and the Anzacs' legendary air of informality is well on display in Cairo, with soldiers in slouch hats and shirt sleeves milling around their camp.

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