Directed by: Sagar Mitchell, James Kenyon.

Probably the most exciting film discovery of recent times, the films of Sagar Mitchell and James Kenyon were commissioned by travelling exhibitors at the dawn of the twentieth century for screening in town halls, at village ftes or local fairs. Advertised as "local films for local people", the audience paid to see their neighbours, children, family and themselves on the screen, glimpsed at local football matches, leaving work, marching in civic processions or enjoying the annual works holidays.

The material is taken from 28 hours of footage and represents a cross-section of the subjects covered in the Collection. From factory gates to football matches, the leaving of Liverpool to the leaving of work, the workers on holiday and at play, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to see the world through the eyes of the working communities of the time.

DVD Extras: Commentary by Dr Vanessa Toulmin of the National Fairground Archive, University of Sheffield. Interview with Vanessa Toulmin. Voiceover introduction by film historian Tom Gunning, read by Paul McGann. Featurette on the restoration work. Illustrated booklet written by Vanessa Toulmin.

Probably the most exciting film discovery of recent times

Dan Cruickshank