NAVY FILM.
CORONEL AND FALKLAND ISLANDS BATTLES.
ROMANCE OF HEROISM, ] i 'Tf.cM ove own coiiaxsro.NDEyr j j LONDON, November 11. A great British film depicting the naval battles of Coronel and Falkland Islands will disclose, for the first time to a world public, the life and activities of the British Navy during one of the tensest episodes of the Great War. The scenario has been written and approved by the Admiralty, certain trade contracts have beer, signed, but tho photographic work has not yet begun. Nevertheless, such is the importance of this national picture that a dinner was given to representatives of the Press, so that they might meet the principal people concerned in making the film and hear something about it. For the past two years the Federation of British Industries has been engaged, along with other national organisations. m an attempt to focus attention on tho necessity for a revival of British film production, and it seemed to many of those concerned in the movement that the time was npo for the production of a great British picture, which would command for British films the attention of the Empire and the world. The idea took practical shape in the mind of Mr A E. Bundv, who is responsible for the financing of the picture, and it was decided that a substantial share in any profits should be allocated to some scheme for the furtherance of British production. The battle subject was chosen because the fame of the British Navv is world-wide, and the two naval incidents are well remembered Then the Federation of British Industries, in association with the Navy League, set about getting the co-operation of the Admiralty. This was wholeheartedly accorded. Moreover many eminent officers with firsthand knowledge of the battles are also giving their assistance. Chief among these are Vice-Admiral Luce, C.8.. who commanded HM.S. Glasgow throughout the two engagements; Bear-Admiral H. Mclver Edwards, C.B who commanded H.M.S. Otranto at Coronel; Captain the Hon. E. S. Bingham, V.0., E.N., and Paymaster-Commander lr. Franklin, R.N.
Chivalry of the Be*. Rear-Admiral Luce presided at the dinner given by Mr C. M. Woolf, whose firm (W. and F. Films, Ltd.) has taken all rights for the film in this country. The Admiral said that he considered such a subject, comprising, as it did, a reverse followed by a victory, was eminently fitted for a film. There should be no bitter feelings, he said. We had no bitter feelings. We had not worked up any hate against the enemy when Coronel was fought and lost. It was the fortune of war. Everyone was so much imnressed by the gallant bearing of the Germans after the Falkland Battle that their senior officer was informed that it was intended to cheer them when they left the Glasgow in British waters as prisoners of war This was done, and was replied to by the Germans, who stood up in the boats taking them ashore. The chivalry of the sea was not dead, said Admiral Luce. He believed that that was the spirit which would animate the picture. All who had writ en to him had expressed pleasure and pride that the film was being produced. What British Films Lack, 11 r C B. Cochran, who is a member of the Advisory Committee appointed to supervise the film, said that he had not seen all the great British films, but in those he had seen there had been one element lacking, and that was the British mind behind the picture. They seemed to be an imitation of American pictures. He would emphasise what he believed was a> very vital thing in the production of British films, and that was individuality. Let them produce something new and thoroughly British—not only British in the employment of British actors and actresses, but with the British mind behind it and coming through, and with .a new. British technique so that everyone might be able to say, "This is a British picture: Ho knew tho American public, and if we could produce something new the American public would go and see it. In E»cland if anvthing new came along the public said. "Let the other man go and see it ilrst. In America they said: "Here f is something different; let's go and see it. The German Admiral. Yon Spee—whose mother wati Danish-rw&s a brave fighter, though his alleged Inhumanity to our drowning seameni at Coronel has never been explained, but he asked for no quarter at the Falkland Ii Hid., and kept on firing until the sea engulfed him. Mis two sons were drowned with him A well-attested story relates that after the Coronel battle the German colony Valparaiso gave a banquet to celebrate their Navy's exploit. The final toast was: "Damnation to the British Navy!' \on Spee and his officers at once rose. He said That neither he nor his,officers could respond to such a toast, and they withdrew The steps near the door were covered with flowers, and von Spee is reported to have slid. I think yon had better keep those for my grave. They may be wanted.'
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Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18888, 31 December 1926, Page 19
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854NAVY FILM. Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18888, 31 December 1926, Page 19
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