"SONS OF THE EMPIRE."

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1918, Page 8

"SONS OF THE EMPIRE."

PATRIOTIC WAR I-ILM. "Sons of the Kmpire," tlio big film ' which was screened at tlie Kmpire last night, is the second of a series of films to he shown nuclei' I lie aurpiccs of the V.if.C.A., the net proceeds from which ore to he devoted towards alleviating (he sufferings of and providing comforts for the men In the fighting forces both at home and abroad. The picture itself is a comprehensive one. and must bring dome to all who see it—as nothing short of participation in tlie actual fighting could do—the stupendous nature of the struggle in which the Kmpire is now engaged. The work of every branch of firitain's lighting machine is depicted, the operations in the air, on land and sea being shown with wonderful detail. These all reveal the great development that has taken place during the short space of the 8} years the war has been raging, in the nation's fighting power. Many ol the details connected with tho perfecting of the war machine have ■hitherto been shrouded in secrecy, but in this picture much that was hidden stands revealed, and the whole film is a wonderful eye-opener, and shows with what skill and success the brains of the nation have been concentrated on the one task of equipping the fighting forces in such a. way as to make victory certain and defeat impossible. The first pictures represent the conditions on the Western front during winter, and give a very clear idea not only of the hardships endured by the men in the trenches, but also cf the very intensive warfare carried on ceaselessly, despite the weather condition". Naval scenes lend tlirtnselves admirably to picture production, and some very fine examples of thi* class of photography are given. Many of the newer, and somewhat unfamiliar, type of battleships are shown, those which took part in the .'fut.land battle forming a particularly interesting section of the film. Many excellent portraits of prominent naval officers are ineluded. Battle pictures, ocean-going destroycrs and submarines, are all presented in a way that makes the picture of compelling Interest throughout. The atrial arm of the service is the subject of some wonderful photography, and the views !»ive a graphic idea of the thrilling exploits carried out by the intrepid airmen at altitudes which cause the mind of the average individual to reel. The land Kittle sec ■; are wonderfully clear and distinct, and it is evident that the views were taken with no small amount of rlsi-c to the einomii man. The tanks, as thov wallow laboriously through No Man'* L;\\it\, form one of the most interesting portions of this section of tlie film. Those. grim monsters, spitting fire and death, make the men whom they lead into battle appear like mere pigmle-'. Tlie scenes i!i the devastated area of northern Krone* sliovr the deadly effects of a modern, "strafe,'' while pictures are also prosent.ee! showing the "strafe" in progress. Many fine views are shown of the training, embarking, and disembarking of troops, and the whole serifs makes nn exceedingly fine him. of the opportunity of seeing which nil should avail themselves. Tlie picture drew a crowded audience last night. It will be screened this afternoon and Anally tonight.