Big Screen’s historic film marks centenary of the Battle of the Somme

June 14, 2016 by Southend Borough Council

Big Screen’s historic film marks centenary of the Battle of the Somme

Wednesday 15th June 2016

A legendary First World War film will be shown free on Southend’s Big Screen on Friday 1st July accompanied by a live orchestra.

This unique event from 7pm outside The Forum Southend-on-Sea in Elmer Square, SS1 1NE, takes place exactly 100 years since the start of the notorious 141-day Battle of the Somme.

Southend was chosen as one of just 100 towns across the country to screen this 1916 film as part of The Imperial War Museum’s Somme 100 project.

It will feature a full symphony orchestra of 60 players seated underneath the screen to perform live music composed by Laura Rossi.

The musicians are all local professional players, teachers and students, who have come together to form Southend Orchestra 100 for this momentous occasion.

A Somme guide and senior curator from the Imperial War Museum will start the evening with a talk at 7pm before the film screening begins at 7:30pm.

The 74-minute film is suitable for anyone from 11 years old upwards.

For anyone unable to attend the evening performance with live orchestra, the Battle of the Somme film with recorded soundtrack will also be shown free on the Big Screen at 11am on Friday 1st July.

The Battle of the Somme film remains one of the most successful British films ever made. Smiling awkwardly at the new-fangled cameras, troops move towards the Front in the Great War.

Their actions are far removed from the swagger and march of war films, but this is real.

It is estimated over 20 million tickets were sold in Great Britain in the first two months of release, and the film was distributed worldwide to demonstrate to allies and neutral, Britain’s commitment to the First World War.

It is the source of many of that conflict’s most iconic images and was made by British official cinematographers Geoffrey Malins and John McDowell.

Though it was not intended as a feature film, once the volume and quality of their footage had been seen in London, the British Topical Committee for War Films decided to compile a feature length film.

Audience members coming to watch the film are invited to bring their own folding seats, or cushions and blankets.

• Free entry to the event is on a first come first served basis, subject to capacity.
• Organisers reserve the right to refuse admission to the event enclosure.
• All children (under 16) must be accompanied by an adult.
• All litter should be disposed of in the bins provided or taken home.
• As this is an outdoor event, please check weather forecast and dress appropriately.
• Access to ground floor toilet facilities inside the Forum building will be kept open until 10pm.

For further local information please visit: www.theforumsouthend.co.uk/bigscreen or call 01702 215000

Travel instructions to The Forum Southend-on-Sea:

The Forum Southend-on-Sea is in Elmer Square, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1NE just off Southend High Street.

It is easily reached by public transport or 24 hour car parking is available nearby in University Square.

For a map please visit www.theforumsouthend.co.uk/find-us/

Train – Southend is served by 2 separate train lines from London (Fenchurch Street and Liverpool Street).

Southend Central Station (Fenchurch Street – Shoeburyness service) is a short walk from The Forum Southend-on-Sea

Southend Victoria Station (Liverpool Street – Southend Victoria service) is around a five-minute walk away.

When leaving the station follow the signs to the High Street/seafront and turn right from the High Street at Café Nero

For train services and timetables please visit www.nationalrail.co.uk

Buses - The main central Southend bus stops are very near to Southend High Street. The Forum, Elmer Square runs parallel to the High Street.

For local bus services and timetables please visit: – www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/essex or www.arrivabus.co.uk/southend

Road and Parking

To reach the Forum by car, follow signs from the A13 or A127 to the town centre. University Square car park on College Way (opposite Sainsbury’s) is open for 24hr parking.

There are also various council-run short-stay public car parks in Central Southend.

Please check closing times as some may close before the end of the performance. For more details, please visit: – www.southend.gov.uk/parking or call 01702 215000