This film is part of Free
Blackburn Rovers v Aston Villa (1904)
The entry of the teams and action from both halves of an Edwardian football game at Ewood Park.
Overview
This is the earliest of two games filmed by Mitchell and Kenyon at Blackburn's Ewood Park. The negative was badly damaged, giving the picture a snowed-out look, but the competitive zeal is clear enough. Unusually for M&K's football films, the camera captures a (rather scrappy) home team goal, to the visible frustration of Villa players, who mount a furious protest. Blackburn went on to win 4-0.
At first glance it's hard to distinguish the distinctive blue and white halved kit of Blackburn Rovers as the players march out onto the pitch. This is due to the particular sensitivities of the orthochromatic film stock in use at this time, which couldn't detect red colours and was oversensitive to blue. Look closer though, and it's possible to make out a difference in shade with the white pocket on the blue half. Special thanks to Dean Beresford, who identified this match as the First Division game played at Blackburn's Ewood Park on the 10th September 1904.
Related
Everton v Liverpool (1902) Everton v Liverpool (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 5 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
The earliest surviving Merseyside derby on film catches two of Everton's goals in a 3-1 home win.
England v Ireland at Manchester (1905) England v Ireland at Manchester (1905)
Non-Fiction 1905 2 mins Silent Location: Manchester
An Edwardian contest between teams representing the English and Irish Football Leagues, with plenty of goal-line action.
Burnley v Manchester United (1902) Burnley v Manchester United (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 2 mins Silent Location: Burnley
First-ever footage of Manchester United in a tense Edwardian football fixture.
Sheffield United v Bury (1902) Sheffield United v Bury (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 2 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
Sparkling images of fans and players at an Edwardian fixture at Sheffield's Bramall Lane.
Everton v Newcastle United (1902) Everton v Newcastle United (1902)
Non-Fiction 1902 8 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
The camera is a welcome distraction to the spectators of a home defeat at Goodison Park.
Preston North End v Aston Villa (1905) Preston North End v Aston Villa (1905)
Non-Fiction 1905 2 mins Silent Location: Preston
Early football giants Preston and Villa face up in an epic Edwardian contest.
Blackburn Rovers V. West Bromwich 1898 Blackburn Rovers V. West Bromwich 1898
Non-Fiction 1898 1 mins Silent Location: Ewood Park, Blackburn
A little piece of football history from the people's game: possibly the earliest surviving game on film
Million Spectators Welcome Return of Football Million Spectators Welcome Return of Football
Non-Fiction 1923 2 mins Location: Ewood Park, Blackburn
A whirlwind tour of the 1923-24 season opener: Manchester City's Maine Road debut, Blackburn v Chelsea and goals for Spurs against Preston North End.
Blackburn Rovers v Sheffield United (1907) Blackburn Rovers v Sheffield United (1907)
Non-Fiction 1907 2 mins Silent Location: Ewood Park, Blackburn
An Edwardian First Division football match played at Blackburn's Ewood Park Stadium.
Blackburn v... (1904) Blackburn v... (1904)
Non-Fiction 1904 0 mins Silent Location: Ewood Park, Blackburn
Blackburn Rovers play at home at Ewood Park to an unidentified team in an Edwardian football fixture.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.