BFI

This record of the Brighton fire brigade in action, made by the London-based Warwick Trading Company, is somewhat unusual for its time in that it is made up of two shots joined together, though there is no apparent attempt at creating genuine narrative continuity.

In this it is far less sophisticated than James Williamson's five-shot Fire! (1901), shot in neighbouring Hove, but it is nonetheless an intriguing precursor. The first shot in particular is exceptionally well composed, the dynamic framing of fire truck, horses and firemen struggling with the hose is just as effective as a still photograph.

There is some possibly unintentional comedy towards the end as the recently unrolled hose springs a leak and one of the firemen swiftly moves to block it with his foot.

Michael Brooke

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