This series of starter activities uses a range of silent films from the Victorian era as prompts for creative writing tasks. An illustrated presentation, featuring information about the films, discussion points and writing prompts, is provided for each film.
Lesson resources
Films
Royal Proclamation of Death of Queen Victoria, Blackburn (1901)
Crowds gather outside the Town Hall to hear the town crier’s royal announcement.
Watch now on BFI PlayerThe Funeral of Queen Victoria (1901)
The crowds stand silent as the nation says goodbye to Queen Victoria in February 1901.
Watch now on BFI PlayerManchester Spiritualists Procession (1901)
Exponents of Britain's newest religion don their Sunday best for a parade through Edwardian Manchester.
Watch now on BFI PlayerArrest of Goudie (1901)
Crimewatch Mitchell and Kenyon style, in the first ever film to recreate a true crime.
Watch now on BFI PlayerReturn of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (1901)
Soldiers returning from the Boer War get a warm welcome home from crowds in Edwardian Birmingham.
Watch now on BFI PlayerYork Road Board School, Leeds (1901)
A small battalion of Yorkshire schoolchildren lines up for a playground photograph.
Watch now on BFI PlayerWorkforce of Haslam’s Ltd., Colne (1900)
Lancashire mill-workers have fun in front of the camera.
Watch now on BFI PlayerSanta Claus (1898)
G.A. Smith’s film uses pioneering visual effects in its depiction of a visit from St. Nicholas.
Watch now on BFI Player