Mitchell and Kenyon

Over a century ago, Sagar Mitchell and James Kenyon roamed Britain and Ireland filming the everyday lives of people at work and play. For around 70 years, 800 rolls of nitrate film sat in sealed barrels in the basement of a shop in Blackburn. Miraculously rediscovered by Nigel Garth Gregory and later restored by the BFI, this now ranks as one of the most exciting film discoveries of recent times. Mitchell & Kenyon in Ireland is a unique and vivid record of Ireland at the start of the twentieth century. The collection contains 26 films made in Ireland between May 1901 and December 1902. Much of this material was unseen for over 100 years. The films include street scenes of Dublin, Wexford and Belfast; the Cork International Exhibition, scenic routes from Cork to Blarney Castle and more. They are accompanied by piano and fiddle music and commentary read by Fiona Shaw.

A short film depicting a dramatized scene from the Boer War, produced by the Lancashire company Mitchell and Kenyon. The film portrays the rescue of two nurses from impending danger at the hands of Boer soldiers, thanks to the timely arrival of British troops. The filming took place on the outskirts of Blackburn.

Short documentary subject produced by Mitchell & Kenyon detailing contemporary streetlife. A print survives at the BFI.

This is one of four two-minute extracts from a two to three-hour procession, held to commemorate her legend in Coventry on the afternoon of 9th September 1902, as part of the city's coronation celebrations. The procession starred the fabulously voluptuous and successful London Hippodrome actress Vera Guedes as Godiva. The film begins with a lingering shot of Godiva, in her flesh-coloured dress, on her horse highlighting her significance in the procession. The remaining extracts lose her as a focus, as the procession is used as a vehicle to exhibit local trade.

Early footage of the Lucania passenger liner.

These two scenes from a longer film of the funeral procession - mostly lost - capture Household Cavalry, military bands, Coldstream guards, representatives of military high command and foreign dignitaries. Closed carriages carry members of the royal family. The first shots are filmed near Hyde Park at the Apsley House corner; the cobbled street seen later is probably Windsor High Street.

A well-respected community figure is laid to rest in Edwardian South Yorkshire.

Mitchell and Kenyon's gorgeous film of Dumfries schoolchildren. The filmmaking duo specialized in filming crowds and then encouraging them to come and see themselves on film at their local fairground.

A less-than-serious Leeds team take a four-goals-and-two-tries battering from Hunslet.

Unusual and sombre footage of much-loved Lancashire priest's funeral.