A Corner of Barnet Fair

A Corner of Barnet Fair

1896 · 1 min · ★ 6.0 · Documentary, Family

From the BFI Collection, this film is actually two films spliced together into one. The first is Birt Acres' work 'A Corner of Barnet Fair' which is the first film seen . This shows a merry-go-round and some people sitting in a doorway while street traffic goes by. The second film is a fragment of unknown origin of a street outside a very large building of what looks like a possible theatre, with a large Victorian awning. the shop next door appears to be selling wines and spirits. A horse drawn charabanc goes past, followed by a male bicyclist. This is closely followed by a male and female couple in an open carriage and two carts with workmen staring at the camera as they pass. Both films are believed to be from Barnet, given they have been spliced together. The film is in a deteriorated state with some rippling.

Directed by Birt Acres

Your Rating

Make it a double feature

1h 38m together

A Corner of Barnet Fair

The Bear

A close match in mood and era.

More from Birt AcresSee all →

Rough Sea at DoverRough Sea at Dover · 1896
Rough Sea at Dover
4.91896
MovieDocumentary
The surf pounds against a breakwater on which are visible several people standing. The wall looks to be about 20 feet above sea level and extend at least 100 feet into the water. A large wave rolls picturesquely along the wall toward the shore. Smaller waves follow. Then the scene changes to river water flowing. We see both shores: in the foreground a log and tree branch are visible; on the far shore, there appears to be a low wall with trees beyond it. The camera is stationary in both shots.
Performing Animals; or, Skipping DogsPerforming Animals; or, Skipping Dogs · 1895
Performing Animals; or, Skipping Dogs
4.81895
MovieDocumentary
A short black-and-white silent documentary film featuring one dog jumping through hoops and another dancing in a costume, which was considered lost until footage from an 1896 Fairground Programme was identified as being from this film.
Persimmons Winning the DerbyPersimmons Winning the Derby · 1896
Persimmons Winning the Derby
4.81896
MovieDocumentary
Persimmon winning the 1896 Epsom Derby. Not to be confused with 'The Derby 1985' from the same director.
The Arrest of a PickpocketThe Arrest of a Pickpocket · 1895
The Arrest of a Pickpocket
4.61895
Movie
A policeman catches a pickpocket with the assistance of a passing a sailor.
The Derby 1895The Derby 1895 · 1895
The Derby 1895
4.61895
MovieDocumentary
A stationary camera, looking diagonally across a racetrack toward the infield, records the horses as they race past. Once they are out of view and the race is over, police officers run onto the infield. The crowd moves around.
The German Emperor Reviewing His TroopsThe German Emperor Reviewing His Troops · 1895
The German Emperor Reviewing His Troops
4.41895
Movie
Directed by Birt Acres.
Incident at Clovelly CottageIncident at Clovelly Cottage · 1895
Incident at Clovelly Cottage
3.51895
MovieFamily
Incident at Clovelly Cottage, also known as Incident Outside Clovelly Cottage, Barnet, shot by Birt Acres and produced by Acres and his collaborator Robert W. Paul in March 1895, was the "first successful motion picture film made in Britain" Considered lost since only a few frames have survived.
Opening of the Kiel CanalOpening of the Kiel Canal · 1895
Opening of the Kiel Canal
3.01895
MovieDocumentary
The opening of the Kiel Canal in Germany by Kaiser Wilhelm II on 20 June 1895.
Tom Merry, Lightning Cartoonist, Sketching Kaiser Wilhelm IITom Merry, Lightning Cartoonist, Sketching Kaiser Wilhelm II · 1895
Tom Merry, Lightning Cartoonist, Sketching Kaiser Wilhelm II
3.01895
MovieDocumentary
A tiny fragment of an actuality film of Tom Merry (William Mechem), a 'lightning sketch' caricaturist performing his act for the camera and producing a large profile caricature of Kaiser Wilhelm II. The loss of the rest of the film has bequeathed us 6 seconds that are of Mechem standing next to the completed portrait and sadly, that is all there is. An early film made by Birt Acres for R.W. Paul. (see release information for further detail).
Henley Royal RegattaHenley Royal Regatta · 1897
Henley Royal Regatta
1.01897
Movie
Early film of annual Henley race, c. 1896-1897
Royal Visit of the Cardiff Industrial and Fine Art ExhibitionRoyal Visit of the Cardiff Industrial and Fine Art Exhibition
Royal Visit of the Cardiff Industrial and Fine Art Exhibition
MovieDocumentary
Newsreel coverage of the Prince and Princess of Wales' visit of the 1896 Cardiff Exhibition. Now a lost film, it's considered the first time the British Royal Family was filmed.

More Like This

Doctor DolittleDoctor Dolittle · 1967
Doctor Dolittle
6.21967
MovieFamilyComedy
A veterinarian who can communicate with animals travels abroad to search for a giant sea snail.
Love Comes SoftlyLove Comes Softly · 2003
Love Comes Softly
6.82003
MovieDramaRomance
Nineteen year old pioneer woman Marty has recently married. She goes west with her husband Clem, hoping to start a new life. But Clem unexpectedly dies, and Marty finds herself alone, two months pregnant. Widower Clark offers her a marriage of convenience: she needs food and money, and he needs someone to take care of his daughter Missie. She accepts his proposal as a temporary solution.
Oliver!Oliver! · 1968
Oliver!
7.01968
MovieDramaFamily
Musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, a classic tale of an orphan who runs away from the workhouse and joins up with a group of boys headed by the Artful Dodger and trained to be pickpockets by master thief Fagin.
A Christmas CarolA Christmas Carol · 2009
A Christmas Carol
6.92009
MovieAnimationDrama
Miser Ebenezer Scrooge is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him his own miserable existence, what opportunities he wasted in his youth, his current cruelties, and the dire fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways. Scrooge is faced with his own story of growing bitterness and meanness, and must decide what his own future will hold: death or redemption.
The BearThe Bear · 1988
The Bear
7.11988
MovieAdventureDrama
An orphan bear cub hooks up with an adult male as they try to dodge human hunters.
Swiss Family RobinsonSwiss Family Robinson · 1960
Swiss Family Robinson
6.81960
MovieAdventureFamily
After being shipwrecked, the Robinson family is marooned on an island inhabited only by an impressive array of wildlife. In true pioneer spirit, they quickly make themselves at home but soon face a danger even greater than nature: dastardly pirates.
Around the World in 80 DaysAround the World in 80 Days · 1956
Around the World in 80 Days
6.71956
MovieAdventureComedy
Based on the famous book by Jules Verne the movie follows Phileas Fogg on his journey around the world. Which has to be completed within 80 days, a very short period for those days.
The Man Who Invented ChristmasThe Man Who Invented Christmas · 2017
The Man Who Invented Christmas
6.82017
MovieDramaHistory
In 1843, despite the fact that Dickens is a successful writer, the failure of his latest book puts his career at a crossroads, until the moment when, struggling with inspiration and confronting reality with his childhood memories, a new character is born in the depths of his troubled mind; an old, lonely, embittered man, so vivid, so human, that a whole world grows around him, a story so inspiring that changed the meaning of Christmas forever.
High School Musical 2High School Musical 2 · 2007
High School Musical 2
6.52007
MovieComedyFamily
The East High Wildcats are gearing up for big fun as they land the coolest summer jobs imaginable. Troy, Gabriella, Chad, and Taylor have scored sweet gigs at the Lava Springs Country Club owned by Sharpay and Ryan's family. Sharpay's first rule of business: Get Troy. As Troy experiences a life of privilege he's never known, will he give up the Wildcats and Gabriella to rise to the top?
Camp RockCamp Rock · 2008
Camp Rock
6.42008
MovieMusicFamily
When Mitchie gets a chance to attend Camp Rock, her life takes an unpredictable twist, and she learns just how important it is to be true to yourself.
Miss PotterMiss Potter · 2006
Miss Potter
6.72006
MovieDramaFamily
Beatrix Potter, the author of the beloved children's book "The Tale of Peter Rabbit", struggles for love, happiness and success.
Nanny McPheeNanny McPhee · 2005
Nanny McPhee
6.72005
MovieFantasyComedy
Widower Cedric Brown hires Nanny McPhee to care for his seven rambunctious children, who have chased away all previous nannies. Taunted by Simon and his siblings, Nanny McPhee uses mystical powers to instill discipline. And when the children's great-aunt and benefactor, Lady Adelaide Stitch, threatens to separate the kids, the family pulls together under the guidance of Nanny McPhee.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter