This film is part of Free
Deliverance of Lille by Haig's Men
Bashful British soldiers are mobbed by French citizens after Lille is freed from the Germans in WWI.
Overview
“Vivent les anglais!” The ecstasy of the liberated Lille townsfolk is matched by an enthusiastic use of intertitles in this silent newsreel, which attempts to relay the hubbub of the crowd through written descriptions. An infectiously joyous film, it sees the French Tricolore and Union Flag flown side by side as women crowd round the British heroes, and jostle to get on camera.
Lille fell into enemy hands early in the First World War, and was only liberated by the Allies at the very end of the conflict. Behind the relieved crowds are glimpses of decimated buildings: physical inscriptions of the toll which the four-year occupation took on the northern French town. This film, a British propaganda item, has no hesitation in referencing the “brutality and plunder” of the German regime there.
Related
Nelson; The Story of England's Immortal Naval Hero Nelson; The Story of England's Immortal Naval Hero
Biopic 1918 126 mins Silent
Morale-boosting exploits intended to inspire war-weary citizens.
Trips and Tribunals (The Blunders of Mr. Butterbun) Trips and Tribunals (The Blunders of Mr. Butterbun)
Comedy 1918 25 mins Silent
Mr Butterbun presides over a tribunal dealing with cases of men presenting excuses to avoid the First World War draft.
Women's Work in Wartime Women's Work in Wartime
Documentary 1918 8 mins Silent
Who wears the trousers while the men are at war? The women of Britain, who pick up a surprisingly wide range of jobs
Battle Front in Britain Battle Front in Britain
Documentary 1918 24 mins Silent
Growing potatoes in Green Park plus some handy uses for your old tin cans – it’s all part of the war effort on the home front.
Scenes of the First World War Scenes of the First World War
Documentary 1918 5 mins Silent
Dramatic footage of Italian and British troops on the front line and airborne.
Haunted Hotel Haunted Hotel
Fantasy 1918 17 mins Silent
Guests find things that go bump in the night.
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.