THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1916, Page 8

THE EMPIRE.

RE-OPENING TO-NIGHT WITH THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME.

No war picture ever shown in England created such a sensation as the official films of "The Big Push," as the hr.ttle of the Somme is called. A writer in the London Weeklj Despatch of August 27th estimates that nearly a million Londoners attended the screening of hese pictures during the fi'st few days they were shown. Audiences view for the most part ir awed silence the great grim war drama with all its tremendous realities. But there ure moments when the feelings of the onlookers can scarcely .'ontnin themselves, and they b'urst into excited applause and continued clapping- Such a one is that in which the troops' are seen to spring from the trenches for the long-awaited hand-to-hand tussle with the enemy, or such of him as is left in the front trenches after the frightful hammering the big guns have given him. Nothing quite like these films have been previously seen here, and they will undoubtedly serve more than anything that has " been written to bring heme to the people a sense of the difficulties that confront the Allie- and a realisation of the war as it actually is, and not as many are too apt to imagine it is. Mr. Lloyd George had no doubt this in mind when he issued the instruction to the War Office: "See that this picture reaches everyone." It should be remembered that this picture pays a special war tax on its export from England, and thus those who see it are indirectly contributing to the war funds. ; 'Supporting the main attraction is a fine : Lasky drama, "Mr. Grex of Monte Carlo,' a drama of Continental intrigues that admirably pavou the way for the big war film. The Empire management have j been successful in arranging to screen i this fine selection for the reopening of | this popular house to-night. The prices jet admission will be: Downstairs Gd, dress circle. Is.