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Suffragettes on Film
"You have to make more noise than anybody else!," cried Suffragette pioneer Emmeline Pankhurst. But how to make more noise in silent film?
"Make more Noise!" was the rallying cry of Emmeline Pankhurst to the campaigners for women's votes. The suffragettes' strategy was simple but clever - the idea was to stand up at every public meeting or gathering and cry "votes for women!". But how do you make more noise in silent film? In an age when the moving image was beginning to really matter, the suffragettes had to make sure that they were not just heard, but seen. The newsreels were noticeably more neutral in their reporting than the print media. So newsreel cameramen were invited to all the big demonstrations and given privileged vantage points, while banners and placards were carefully placed for the cameras. The first ever representation of a suffragette in a British film was in 1899, in a comedy where a pair of gossipy old women (played by men in drag) are the object of male ridicule. By 1913, the outrageous satire Milling the Militants again uses a suffragette as a stock comic character, but to more ambiguous effect. It was the licence allowed by comedy that freed film's female characters, like the delightfully modern Tilly girls, to make one hell of a noise.
Miss Davison's FuneralMiss Davison's Funeral
Non-Fiction19132 minsSilent Location: Bloomsbury
The funeral procession of suffragette Emily Davison - fatally injured at the Epsom Derby - passes through London to her final resting place in Morpeth.
Suffragette Derby of 1913Suffragette Derby of 1913
Non-Fiction19135 minsSilent Location: Epsom
A momentous act of self sacrifice is caught on camera - Emily Davison is trampled by the King's horse at the 1913 Epsom Derby.
Suffragettes AgainSuffragettes Again
Non-Fiction19131 minsSilent
Incendiary images from Plymouth, at the sharp end of the campaign for women's votes.
Milling the Militants; A Comical AbsurdityMilling the Militants; A Comical Absurdity
Comedy19137 minsSilent
Left with the kids while his wife campaigns for women's votes, an aggrieved husband dreams of punishing all suffragettes.
Meet the Suffragettes: The Original Media-DisruptorsMeet the Suffragettes: The Original Media-Disruptors
Short documentary201510 mins
BFI's silent film curator, Bryony Dixon, explores the BFI National Archive's holdings around women's suffrage.
Palace PandemoniumPalace Pandemonium
Non-Fiction19141 minsSilent Location: Buckingham Palace
The campaign for women's suffrage steps up as Emmeline Pankhurst is arrested at the gates of Buckingham Palace.
Demonstration of SuffragettesDemonstration of Suffragettes
Non-Fiction19103 minsSilent Location: London
An early view of Emily Wilding Davison in the multitudes of women in a mass demonstration organised by the Women’s Social and Political Union on 18 June 1910
Suffragette Pageant Suffragette Pageant
Non-Fiction19111 minsSilent Location: London
History's 'most famous women' - and 66,000 mere mortals - rally to the Suffragette cause in a magnificent pageant and Coronation procession.
Suffragette Riots at WestminsterSuffragette Riots at Westminster
Non-Fiction19101 minsSilent Location: Westminster
Panic on the streets of London: a women's suffrage protest breaks into violence.
Scenes outside the House of Commons Scenes outside the House of Commons
Non-Fiction19131 minsSilent Location: Westminster
The fight for women's suffrage momentarily falters on a gloomy day in January 1913.
Didums Diddles the P'licemanDidums Diddles the P'liceman
Comedy19126 minsSilent
A budding mini-suffragette is determined to turn a local policeman into the butt of her jokes.
"Law Abiding" Suffragists"Law Abiding" Suffragists
Non-Fiction19131 minsSilent Location: Hyde Park
Three cheers for women's right to vote! Thousands of 'peaceful, law-abiding Suffragists' - and their hat-waving supporters - converge on Hyde Park.
Mass Meeting of SuffragettesMass Meeting of Suffragettes
Non-Fiction19101 minsSilent Location: Trafalgar Square
Votes for Women protesters swamp Trafalgar Square, brandishing placards and petitions.
Finding His CounterpartFinding His Counterpart
Comedy19149 minsSilent
A comedy clot takes up phrenology and tries to find his ideal partner by feeling the bumps on women's heads, only to end up as a cannibal's dinner.
Womens March through LondonWomens March through London
Non-Fiction19151 minsSilent Location: London
Suffragettes advance from Bow to Baker Street, jostling with the London traffic on their way to the Portman Rooms.
Bolton Election ResultBolton Election Result
Non-Fiction19121 minsSilent Location: Bolton
Women's Suffrage campaigners make their mark in a key by-election
St Leonards OutrageSt Leonards Outrage
Non-Fiction19131 minsSilent Location: St Leonards
Militant suffragettes torch Levetleigh, St Leonards, former home of Arthur Du Cros, Conservative MP for Hastings and Rye.
Women's RightsWomen's Rights
Comedy18992 minsSilent
A cruel joke at the expense of the women's movement is at the heart of this early film comedy
Howway the LassesHowway the Lasses
Animation & Artists Moving Image19771 mins Location: Northumberland
This jaunty hand-drawn animation charts the history of womens revolutionary road to freedom in the North East - from Stone Age sister to suffragette of the twentieth century.
Wife the Weaker VesselWife the Weaker Vessel
Comedy191510 minsSilent
A henpecked husband plots revenge on his boastful bachelor friend by marrying him to a seemingly meek girl who turns out to be anything but.
The Suffragette ElectionThe Suffragette Election
Non-Fiction19121 minsSilent Location: London
Trusted, tried and true? A Labour MP takes a principled stand on women's right to vote
Tilly and the Fire EnginesTilly and the Fire Engines
Comedy19112 minsSilent
Mischievous sisters Tilly and Sally borrow a fire engine and take it for a joy ride in this spirited film comedy.
Will There Be Women MPs?Will There Be Women MPs?
Non-Fiction19171 minsSilent Location: London
The leading organisation fighting for women's suffrage changes tack, as Christabel and Emmeline Pankhurst launch the Women's Party.
Scenes from Suffragette Demonstration at NewcastleScenes from Suffragette Demonstration at Newcastle
Non-Fiction19101 minsSilent Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Supporters of the Women's Social and Political Union campaign in the North East.
Women's March through LondonWomen's March through London
Non-Fiction19151 minsSilent Location: Buckingham Palace
"Three cheers to our gallant soldiers", proclaim suffragette marchers as they rally to show their willingness to help the war effort.
Tilly's PartyTilly's Party
Comedy19117 minsSilent
Irrepressible sister act Tilly and Sally throw a party - of sorts - in this chaotic comedy caper.
Trafalgar Square RiotTrafalgar Square Riot
Non-Fiction19131 minsSilent Location: Trafalgar Square
A suffragette demonstration led by Sylvia Pankhurst ends in chaos as police prevent a march on Downing Street.