The Somme then and now.. 1916

The Somme then and now.. 1916 - 2016

Рет қаралды 2,118,578

Күн бұрын

100 years ago Malins and McDowell exposed their film to the light capturing a moment in time.
It's very difficult to understand and watch the original film as they were very limited by technology and the danger. Malins risked his life on several occasions making this film, being right on the front line with a huge box camera sticking out above the trench. After watching the film many times, over many years, I wanted to find these locations and stand in their foot prints and re film.
Some locations were easy to find, some took much research and some I haven't yet been able to locate, but all the ones in this documentary are within yards to feet of where they filmed originally, none are guesses or just possibilities. I hope you enjoy watching and it helps you to understand please leave comments this is worth more to me than earning money i ask for nothing but love remarks

Пікірлер: 6 500

@del2591 4 жыл бұрын

Harry Patch, the last surviving soldier of WW1 put it like this; "I felt then as I feel now that those who took us to war should have been given the guns & told to settle their differences themselves, instead of organising nothing better than legalised mass murder".... R. I. P Harry.....

@rooftopcat1785 4 жыл бұрын

respect, honor, admiration, salute harry patch and all the other tragic lives who gave all they had, there life and families. Sleep well you men, sleep well all.

@del2591 4 жыл бұрын

@@rooftopcat1785 couldn't have put it better myself comrade, may they all R. I. P

@moai6760 4 жыл бұрын

@@del2591 >comrade

@del2591 4 жыл бұрын

@Supreme Snek the Allies & Russia carved up Germany after the fall of Berlin so whether Left or Right, politicians get on when it suits. As usual the poor b******s fighting pay the price, Harry was right....

@rjkawrjahrsnjfddfdsfsodapi1840 4 жыл бұрын

This is exactly what i always thought

@alanbush4192 4 жыл бұрын

my grand father was blown up in 1915 sent home to recuperate. and was then sent back to die which he did. I sit here a 73 year old man in tears and thank him and all those other hero's who gave there lives in two wars so I could live to be an old man and live my life in peace. I never knew my grand dad and I will take that regret with me to my grave. My dad was emotionally skard by the loss of his dad at such a young age and never got over it. Wars don't just kill the men on the battle field they destroy other lives and the family's of those who live on. I have visited the grave of my grand dad in Belgium and was struck by the young age of those who had been killed. there is an evil in his world that seeks to profit from war regardless of who or how many are killed it is like a many headed hydra. Until this menace is erased this world will never know peace. Your film reduced me to tears as I once again saw the senseless slaughter of a whole generation of our fore fathers.

@CyberPupz927192712 4 жыл бұрын

it is sad :(

@jamesharris9029 4 жыл бұрын

Alan Bush. That is such a sad story, I feel for you and your very brave Grandad.

@WildPony001 4 жыл бұрын

Alan Bush I lost my great uncle at Hill 60 in the first Battle of Ypres 1915. It is indeed a loss and waste. Much respect.

@ykdickybill 4 жыл бұрын

Alan you’ve hit the nail on the head !

@arrowpictures2844 3 жыл бұрын

Your grandfather was truly a hero. He will never be forgotten.

@philipdee1415 6 ай бұрын

So intensely powerful and evocative...I have watched this three or four times and will do so again. My dad's first cousin was killed at the Somme in Sept 1916 and my sons brought me to France for my 60th birthday in 2019. We followed Pte Michael Dee's route during his last few days on earth to where he lost his life at Bernafay Wood with the Royal Munster Fusiliers. It was very emotional and none of us will ever forget it. Michael has no known grave and is the only Dee on the Thiepval monument. We were privilaged to be present at Thiepval on the 101st anniversary of Armistace Day. God Bless them all every one of them....

@georgesimpson5953 3 жыл бұрын

What's sad is how 20 years later, many survivors went back to fight the same enemy. This time with their sons.

@generalbooger9146 2 жыл бұрын

We all know whose to blame for that...... right...... ha........ha........ high five.

@James2005. Жыл бұрын

@@generalbooger9146 Johnny reb again? I didn’t expect to see you here.

@TheCoissac 4 жыл бұрын

It all becomes so real when looked at this way... Must have been ridiculously difficult finding all these exact locations spots and angles

@mcc9887 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching

@martinsmith1538 3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic research. Proud of you.

@aprendizdecapivara2841 3 жыл бұрын

@@mcc9887 fantastic work

@zion653 4 жыл бұрын

As a person who works with video, it is almost under-appreciated the amount of work that went into so perfectly finding and aligning the camera position to capture these shots, especially considering the massive changes to the terrain after all these years. Couple this with the work that went into so perfectly aligning the older video with the newer footage (complete with synchronizing the camera movements), and you have the makings of a truly daunting effort. I offer my greatest appreciation for the effort that went into completing this project.

@mcc9887 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching ...i will be remaking it all next year with many new locations should be out about May 2020. There will also be more of a written explanation of what is being viewed and all the Music will be from composers who served in WW1 again thank you for you comment...

@soulscanner66 4 жыл бұрын

@@mcc9887 A true labor of love that is appreciated. This really makes you feel like you are there. This adds more humanity and context than any narrative could. This has an intimate and epic scale at the same time. Thank you.

@goldenstardust 4 жыл бұрын

Totally agree, a mammoth amount of research, let alone the filming and post production! In awe!

@idellhpcompaq 3 жыл бұрын

This is a immersive masterpiece, will be shown in my history class. Thank you so much for the time and dedication you put into this piece of art.

@jimwalker5412 5 ай бұрын

My grandad, Hugh Walker(Liverpool) was killed on The Somme, July 1916, he left a widow and 3 young children. They lived in abject poverty for many years, his name is inscribed on the wall in the room of remembrance in Liverpool Town Hall, with 15 thousand other men, thats not a typo, 15 thousand men from one city, may they all rest in peace.

@cmvdoo 2 ай бұрын

You live through him.

@afool7733 4 жыл бұрын

It's funny how we walk on the same road everyday without realising the history it holds

@mcc9887 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching

@coniston3106 3 жыл бұрын

It's funny how we walk on the same earth everyday without realising the history it holds

@louiefence6579 3 жыл бұрын

You think the buildings are 100 years old too !?!? :o

@EricCole69 2 жыл бұрын

I think about this all the time

@DwarfOG 4 жыл бұрын

I feel like it would be strange standing there knowing well over a million people died there and you could be standing were someone took their last breath

@mcc9887 4 жыл бұрын

@Troy Staunton Thank you for watching

@DwarfOG 4 жыл бұрын

@Troy Staunton Wow, if i ever go to France ill have to check that out, Thank you

@gregoryproch 3 жыл бұрын

I've always use my imagination to visualize what it could have been back then, when I visited WWI battlefields. Thanks to your breathtaking work, now I have no difficulty to visualize it perfectly. Although I know about WWI since my childhood, this terrible moment of History feels even more close to me, so much more tangible now, as if I could finally make the connection in my mind, between then and now... Thank you so much for this priceless work !!!

@mcc9887 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching and your comment is exactly what i was trying to achieve so thank you...

@jimjohandes 3 жыл бұрын

I can't imagine the difficulty you experienced trying to find these locations after 100 years! Job well done! Thank you!

@mcc9887 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching i will be remaking it all again soon with more locations and description of what is being viewed .All music will be by composers who served in WW1 it will be called Anthem to a doomed youth hope you can watch it when its completed

@Burgos1903 4 жыл бұрын

I am German. My great-grandfather was an english soldier and prisoner of war in germany. Unfortunately I don't know anything about him, not even his name. So I am a great-grandson of this war. It is sad that millions of young men have had to die for the goals of others. Everyone thought they were doing the right thing. This movie is great. Thank you very much for that.

@RoseSharon7777 4 жыл бұрын

Exactly! Like every war. The goals of those that rule over us. Sad!

@bodinski100 5 жыл бұрын

i am sitting watching this at 11am on the 11th of novermber 2018...100 years after the great war ended...i cant think of a better tribute to be watching....thank you for this historic and vital film, amazing...lest we forget

@johnnya2811 7 ай бұрын

Had a great uncle who fought at bray sur somme, then morlancourt, got caught up in operation Michael or the German offensive march 1918, he was reported missing on 26 march 1918 and has no known grave, he is remembered simply by name at pozziers cemetery, like many before and after such a waste of life, then 21 years later we had learned nothing and done it all again, how much the world be different if the the man with the mustache and a psychotic mind caught a buller or a shell in the right place,,, they fought like lions to there bitter end, many never to return to our beautiful little island, for that we are eternally grateful, people who done the programme s like this and last voices of ww1 and time team, a great watch at times ramming it home, so many lives lost, so many still missing, many still in the very tunnels they were digging, A loss that effected nearly every household, that alone says the scale of loss, RIP lads, and a mention to the brave nurses who at times are overlooked who again under artillery shelling carried on caring, , and gave the ultimate scarface,, a time in our history that should never, never be forgotten ,

@fireangel6038 3 жыл бұрын

For the first time in a really long time I miss KZfaq’s star system. A thumbs up just does not do justice to what I just watched. 5 stars sir. Thank you.

@alfredpambuena6874 4 жыл бұрын

when i was in vietnam sitting in a jungle ambush spot...i remember talking to the guy i was with...and we laughed and said...50 years from now...nobody will know we were even here...that was 1968..over 50 years ago...i guess the only ones who would know are those that died there..nd those who survived.

@flagmichael 4 жыл бұрын

I was one who did not go - lottery number 255. I never knew you were there but I knew many were, and that it earned the moniker "The Land of Bad Things."

@NemoHolemaker 4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, the Vietnam war was equally pointless as World War I. No country gained anything from it, it just caused a lot of senseless suffering and death.

@Mark-yb1sp 3 жыл бұрын

May the Lord above bless you, Afred. You deserve it.

@conorstretch746 3 жыл бұрын

I have unconditional respect for you, Alfred, I wish peaceful resting to your deceased comrades.

@Nick-qg1tr 3 жыл бұрын

No my friend we remeber and we must not let other's in trying to forget.

@ILOVEZOZER 4 жыл бұрын

Worthy of prime time TV ... everyone should see this masterpiece.

@matthiasstephens2265 4 жыл бұрын

Paul Elliott correct people should be reminded or made aware of what true peril really is and that it’s never out of reach despite modern comforts and distractions.

@ClarenceCochran-ne7du 6 ай бұрын

For 30 years now, I've a private memorial I hold on the anniversaries of the battles of the Great War. I go to Mass on those days, light a candle for all of the fallen and pray for their repose. Then spend the day, reflecting on the battle. As evening draws nigh, I have a single toast to the memory of the fallen. The sacrifice of so many, must not be forgotten.

@blzbob7936 3 жыл бұрын

The recorder of this film should receive a complimentary military medal for acknowledging, researching, and producing this film for us to see the things our countrymen lived through. Lest we forget? Many cannot even imagine, let alone 'forget'. That is why this is so important. Respect to all involved. x

@johnkmcgregor5209 4 жыл бұрын

Who on earth would give this a thumbs down? That’s unbelievable

@GastonBoucher 4 жыл бұрын

@Grant Peace The younger generation only fights in wars, it's the older generations that wage it, which in todays age are the baby boomers. So what the hell do you mean with your last sentence?

@AlorsZut 6 жыл бұрын

This is the most brilliant non-Hollywood piece of work I have ever seen on KZfaq.

@cynthiamcgee4829 5 ай бұрын

I love to watch these pieces of History it honors the men who fought, died and came home. Thank you all for your Service and Sacrifice 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

@sumbuddy63 5 ай бұрын

Without a doubt one of best then and now I've seen. I totally appreciate the skill and work took to create this video. I have never seen any of this high quality footage before. I enjoyed every minute . Thank you.

@peterpower4028 5 жыл бұрын

Undoubtably one of the finest, if not the finest, ‘then and now’ sequence ever recorded. Excellent work.

@DropGoal-jb5ss 4 жыл бұрын

Grandad fought in this battle. And all the others from 1915 onwards. Got shot in each campaign. Fell out of an observation ballon- heart shifted from left to right- 6 months on a water bed- went back and just cracked on. Died in 1986- 101. I was young but got to know and appreciate him. Wish i had the chance to speak to him now for just a couple of minutes.

@slidefirst694 11 ай бұрын

This has been on my KZfaq feed for several years but I watched for the first time today. It is haunting and devastating to watch. Amazing job by the creators.

@heidiwilliams598 5 ай бұрын

Very powerful film and so well done! It never ceases to amaze me that people don't know or look at history like this. If they did, they could learn much and not continue to repeat all of the horrible mistakes of war!

@bskelton8712 4 жыл бұрын

My uncle died here and his name is on the cenotaph at Vimy Ridge, Fred Skelton thank you for reminding us to never forget.

@WildPony001 4 жыл бұрын

A beautiful moving piece of work. Not only to find the archived film, but the places to match it all up. I noticed early on that the drivers of the carriage horses were laying the track that the modern tractor driver used 100 yrs on. And the entrance to 5th Avenue trench is still used. Awesome gentlemen, thank you for your commitment to these fallen. Xx

@mcc9887 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching

@deborahrheaume9833 2 жыл бұрын

Magnificent, thank you so much for this video. My grandfather (American) fought in France, he was in heavy artillery. My grandmother's first husband also fought in France and died during the last days of fighting. My grandfather died days before I was born, I deeply regret that I could not learn more of his life by speaking with him. Seeing this video of the British troops makes me feel that I could almost understand what he experienced as a young man. I really appreciate this.

@garylancaster8612 Жыл бұрын

If you haven't already seen it I recommend They Shall Not Grow Old, a movie by Peter Jackson. It slows down, colourises and adds dialogue to original film of the British Army in WW1. It's fantastic.

@LJSpit 3 жыл бұрын

That was one of the most moving films I have ever seen. The ghosts that haunt these landscapes have been visualised. Superb, thankyou. Lest we forget.

@mcc9887 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching

@BT2RC 3 жыл бұрын

What gets me is that the men marching to the trenches are smiling, waving their helmets and hats, they obviously had no idea what was in store for them.

@mcc9887 3 жыл бұрын

BobV Thank you for watching

@mcc9887 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you to everybody who watched my tribute to these brave men its worth noting 25000 people watched this yesterday alone. I will be remaking it next year with more locations i have found ,and a more detailed exploitation of what is being watched ..again thank you I would also like to make it known i receive nothing for this film nor never will its a tribute...

@SkyeFergus 4 жыл бұрын

I look forward to any future work like this that you do. Anyone can tell just by how well this video turned out, that the one who made it respected the history, the men who lived it. Quality like this can only come from someone who loves the work they're doing. We love your work too. I even love the music you chose

@whoswhoatthezoo9372 4 жыл бұрын

MC C Brilliant piece of work - love it

@heiratsschwindler6749 4 жыл бұрын

MC C are you German?

@jamesharris9029 4 жыл бұрын

MC C What you have done is fantastic. Never forget them

@henrypernoix1793 3 жыл бұрын

i just copy/pasted from another comment...lol The Norman conquest is actually a French conquest of England. Normand soldiers were around 1/3 of the total army. The rest of the 2/3 come from other regions of France: Bretagne, Flandres, Poitou. The majority of the chroniclers of the French invasion of England are French. Guillaume de Jumièges, Guillaume de Poitiers, Guy D’Amiens, Benoit de Sainte-Maure. On the Bayeux tapestry it is clearly described that the French won over the English. anglosaxon.archeurope.info/index.php?page=scene-81 hIC CeCIDERUNT SIMUL: ANGLI eT FRANCI: INPReLIO Here were killed at the same time English and French in Battle anglosaxon.archeurope.info/index.php?page=scene-85 HIC FRANCI PUGNANT ET CECIDERUNT QUI ERANT CUM HAROLDO HERE THE FRENCH ARE FIGHTING AND THOSE WHO WERE WITH HAROLD HAVE FALLEN anglosaxon.archeurope.info/index.php?page=scene-89 EST ET FUGA: VERTERUNT ANGLI And the English have turned to flight On the Anglo-Saxon chronicles, it is also clearly mentioned that Guillaume & his army were French. www.bl.uk/manuscripts/Viewer.aspx?ref=cotton_ms_tiberius_b_iv_f003r archive.org/details/anglosaxonchroni00gile/page/138 “Frenchmen had possession of the place of Carnage, all as God Granted them for the peoples's sins.” Orderic Vitalis wrote in his Ecclesiastica Historia ("Ecclesiastical History"): Nothing was given to any Frenchman which had been taken unjustly from any Englishman. The French Chronicler Guy of Amiens in his text “Carmen de Hastingae proelio” wrote: “When France was almost mistress of the field of battle and was already seeking the spoils of war, the Duke (Guillaume) caught sight of the king on the top of the hill fiercely cutting down those who were attacking him[…].” After 1066, French became the official language of England not the Viking language. "Dieu et mon Droit" is French not Viking language. French from the 11th century is still used officialy in England, not Viking language. for example: "La Reyne le veult" is French, not Viking language. publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld/ldcomp/ldctso56.htm The Arthurian legends were created by French, Chretien de Troy, Robert de Boron. www.express.co.uk/news/history/867541/legend-of-king-arthur-stolen-not-british-from-the-french

@lovegarbage 3 жыл бұрын

The emotional power of what you have done took me by suprise.

@paulnewton1345 2 ай бұрын

Incredibly moving, such a brilliant film

@ThesTroubleAtMill 4 жыл бұрын

My Great Grandfather, Lance Sergeant James Harry Sharp (2nd/6th Battn Prince of Wales Own West Yorks Regt) was killed 11/4/1917 just outside the town of Arras in the village of Ecoust-St-Mien. I have been there many times over the last twelve years trying to trace his footsteps and visiting the local cemeteries (he has no known grave) Thank you for this piece work.

@carrie4631 4 жыл бұрын

I have just watched your film, sir...I was absolutely mesmerised! The patience you must have had! Having visited the Somme battlefields, I have tried to envisage the sights, smells and sounds from 100 years ago whilst standing looking over the horizon across the fields. I cannot commend you enough for such outstanding skill in film-making and really do think that you should approach a TV company with your film. I am speechless. Never seen anything so inventive and historically fascinating before. Thank you so much for sharing all your hard work. :-)

@oceanwanderer8065 3 жыл бұрын

This fantastic film chokes me up every time. I only wish I had asked my grandfather about his experiences in 1915 when he joined up to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers but I was only a child in his old age and ignorant of that period in time. He is long gone now but I view his WW1 photograph with pride as he stares out at me in his well worn uniform. I'm proud of you Grandad. R.i.p. x

@schance1666 3 ай бұрын

Amazing. I hope this is on a loop at all the museums in that area. How many people drive by these sites everyday not knowing the history around them.

@Sirxchrish 4 жыл бұрын

This gives me a bioshock infinite vibe. It's like you created a tear in the fabric of time and space to reveal something that most people couldn't recognize today. It makes me wonder how many seemingly uninteresting sites across the world were really focal points in the various major wars fought between the powers that have waxed and waned throughout time as a whole.

@juleshathaway3894 5 жыл бұрын

For my great grandfather Private Harry Holmes, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), still on patrol on The Somme, 26/9/1916. "Wear your Poppy with pride."

@GeorgeLennon100 3 жыл бұрын

Videos like this make you realize just how fleeting life is. The more things change the more they stay the same.

@dailystar1 2 ай бұрын

They gave their lives for us. Every single one a hero without a doubt. Rest in peace.

@WaterhenBloa14 28 күн бұрын

They gave us ww2

@loganmartin59 4 жыл бұрын

Why are so many people being recommended this today? I typically enjoy learning about WW2, but recently I have had a spike of interest in the Napoleonic wars, as well as WW1. No matter, I'm glad I am seeing this now, rather than never.

@XeroPaiNN 4 жыл бұрын

This IS WW1, not WW2...

@loganmartin59 4 жыл бұрын

R . E I’m saying this was recommended to me due to my recent mass viewing off WW1 content. At no point did I say it was WW2.

@xobrando 4 жыл бұрын

me too man! just picked up copies of total war napoleon & empire for me and my lad to fuel the flames lol

@ChuckS117 4 жыл бұрын

Probably a lot of people took interest after watching 1917 videos and this somehow made the cut. I'm glad this was recommended.

@dawn-blade 4 жыл бұрын

I am passionate about World War I and I am just unable to fathom how so many millions had to lose their lives because political leaders disagreed. Why did/does it have to be this way? Why do the innocent have to die, sent off like sheep to the slaughter? Why does anyone have to die? Why is death so prevalent and, dare I say, accepted in our world? Nobody else should have to die because of needless bloodshed. I would love to have a discussion about this, what reasons you believe may exist to cause this system we have, where men willingly die for leaders who wouldn't stand in the path of fire for them. Humanity as a race should examine these past wars and realize how foolish and wrong we have been to waste so many lives. This video brought me to tears thinking of the mothers and sisters who never got to see their loved ones again. This was tragic and heartbreaking to watch, especially as so many of them smile in the videos, not understanding what was to come. Even more eerie is the realization that nobody in these clips is alive today. Ghosts of the past preserved only by this precious film. What are we as the human race after World War I and World War II? What did we learn, really? It seems to me that nothing has changed. Countries have progressed, but there are still superpowers, and as we have seen recently, still the potential for another global war to break out, only this time it could spell the end for us all. I am so torn and sad over these conflicts and why they have to happen. I fear Earth may not know true peace until humanity is no longer here.

@600joe 6 жыл бұрын

The BEST Then and Now I’ve ever seen. Production deserving of an award. Too good for KZfaq but thanks for your art.

@camperp195 3 жыл бұрын

As an ex army man myself,i cried all through this,we must never ever forget ,it should never have happened.

@Mark_Harwood 3 жыл бұрын

@@ThaiSoup39 This is not the place to show your ignorance. Surprise yourself and make an effort to find out why the war started.

@Maperator Жыл бұрын

@Johannes Kraut as a result of Germany attack a neutral country?that had also a defense treaty with britain

@mircovannucchi6600 2 ай бұрын

My grandfather William was born in 1887. Italian front, Alpini Fiamme Verdi. From Isonzo to Piave: Caporetto, Vidor, Solstizio. He runned through these battlefields in first wave bayonet assaults. Many young men lost the life there. The hell on earth. He was a survivor. Rest in peace grandpa. MV

@carrawayd 7 жыл бұрын

I toured the Somme battlefield last summer (June 2016) with a small group of retired American soldiers. We visited several of the sites you covered in your film. It can be hard to picture that terrain as other than the gentle French countryside of today. Your moving and well done tribute helped to put things in perspective. Thank you for this most excellent work.

@mikaelabowen5781 6 жыл бұрын

What an extraordinarily powerful and touching video - I can't imagine how many hours have gone into finding these exact locations. This is an extremely poignant reminder that the past is actually not so distant from today; thank you for making it.

@nv1493 Жыл бұрын

So many quiet places today that hold such a history of sacrifice.

@Ibhorrorauthor 3 ай бұрын

I am speechless. This is a work of true brilliance and a wonderful, moving, fitting tribute to these incredible men who we must never forget. Thank you so much for this outstanding film. ❤🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

@127250 4 жыл бұрын

An amazing production, executed with love, sincerity and passion. It must have taken many hours to accomplish, but generations from now will be able to watch your incredible effort. Well done.

@mcc9887 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching

@pj8143 4 жыл бұрын

My grandfather fought on the Somme in France 🇫🇷 WW1. He survived the horrors of war. He wrote about his war experiences & had the book published. RIP the brave men who fought.🥀🌺🌺🌺 Thanks 😊 for sharing well presented.

@Dujfjfo 4 жыл бұрын

Which book?

@Qigate 3 жыл бұрын

This is the most beautiful and touching tribute to the men who fell and fought in 1916 that I have every watched. Thank you for walking in these same footfalls as they who fought. This work deserves awards after awards for the brilliance of the thing. All my best regards and thanks !

@mcc9887 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching

@Windsurfingaddict 11 ай бұрын

Very sobering thought provoking memory’s. The huge loses of men and not forgetting the thousands of horses that lost there lives and put through misery is saddening

@davebeningfield 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this. My grandfather was wounded at the Somme - artillery fire - and according to family lore was told by the doctors he had 6 months to live, but survived, raised a family and lived to 84. He had 4 brothers who also served, saw action and all survived. My sweethearts grandfather was a Gordon Highlander and lost an eye and part of his face in action, but we don't know if this happened at the Somme. She told me that as a little girl she never thought of him as disfigured - that was just the way her loving grandad looked.

@jamesharris9029 4 жыл бұрын

Fantastic story

@et1965 4 жыл бұрын

Your work has moved me to tears. Thank you so much for this incredible piece of important work. Kind regards. Gary Turner

@keyboarddancers7751 3 жыл бұрын

I did a tour of these battlefields and monuments about 5 years ago in November. Extremely bleak and sobering experience. Difficult to get over the truly immense sense of wasted and extinguished life.

@frankhunt9304 2 жыл бұрын

Unbelievable. This is such a great short film. Well, produced. From the music to the Transitions of pictures and video. You did an awesome job. Thank you.

@Randyvanbag 4 жыл бұрын

This footage is absolutely stunning! You really deserve some serious recognition for what you've done with this, and so do all the people in this film.. Many of whom are probably on the battlefield as unknown soldiers. The sacrifice these men, and animals, made for our futures is unfathomable and my respect for them is beyond measure. My only concern is why over 400 people have disliked this video?

@Ethericrose 4 жыл бұрын

This should be sent to every education department and then distributed to every school. We only forget if we stop talking about it, this shows the truth of the hardships of true war. I cant imagine how traumatic this must have been for each man, each family that lost a loved one, each wife that became widowed, each parent that lost a son /s. Uncles, fathers, so many lost. Thank you for this, it was perfectly done and comemorates all those lost. Much love and peace to you.

@philipdee1415 Жыл бұрын

no words would do your work or those of the original cameraman justice. Incredible work....this brings it home so much more effectively than any other media can. Thank you for your work.....and God Bless all of those that gave their lives or survived the war only to suffer every day from their physical or mental trauma....

@darronsargent3956 2 жыл бұрын

This is one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. Thank you for doing this

@paulinehouston3556 4 жыл бұрын

My Grandfather fought at the Somme. He was wounded, had trench feet and suffered all his life with breathing problems due to the effects of mustard gas. He was such a wonderful person. He didn't really speak about the war, it was too horrific and the memories too painful. I'm sad that there are any wars at all. We're all God's children and equal in his eyes. A very moving tribute to extraordinary brave men. R.I.P Thank -You for this moving production.

@32446 4 жыл бұрын

My grandad also fought at the Somme. It had an awful effect on him for the rest of his life. Had problems with mental illness. Must’ve been horrific to be there.

@marciadiehl5733 4 жыл бұрын

@tahir de la nive I am an American, and I agree with you. Woodrow Wilson enabled the conditions that set up Hitler's rise to power and the next war just 20 years later.

@juanmanu9652 4 жыл бұрын

Amazing piece of work...it was quite moving...the real question is, what did these brave men really give their lives for in the long run? An ungrateful nation, an ungrateful and disrespectful world.. May God bless their poor, wasted souls. Amen

@virginiasoskin9082 Жыл бұрын

This is extraordinarily moving. I have always wondered what those French battlefields look like today, and then the extra treat of you being able to find the exact locations of the silent films and superimpose that. Then you add the stirring music and you have sheer perfection -- the suffering, mud, wounded, limping, it was a war to end all wars --except it wasn't. I am surprised that Tommies offered the Germans water and cigarettes, accompanied them to points where the Germans would wait for transport to prison camps, etc. I suppose after the war there was a lot of earth moving to get the land back into smooth order so it could again be farmed. The way the shells from the field guns created giant craters and just tore up the earth to a moon scape is frightful. No wonder so many men suffered from PTSD and the shakes afterward. This was one terrible war. Thank you for this marvelous film. It is genius. All teens and adults should see it.

@nigelengland8687 3 жыл бұрын

I have come back to this video several times over the past 4 years, and I'm still amazed by your work. Congratulations.

@mcc9887 3 жыл бұрын

Nigel... Thank you for watching

@mikegross6107 4 жыл бұрын

Words cannot or will EVER express my emotions watching these clips of men walking into THEIR unknown future at the time of being filmed! SO MANY young and old men bled and died or were wounded horribly because of the evil let loose at that time. May God have mercy on their souls and on the souls of those who allowed this evil to run rampant throughout the world (and are STILL allowing it to happen). Thank you for your hard work and diligence in finding these locations.

@Kergrist 4 жыл бұрын

I’ve visited many of these places, this cleaver and stunning video has brought back the deep humility felt because of the sacrifices made.

@TheGreatest1974 8 ай бұрын

What you have accomplished here is incredible. Thankyou. 👍🇬🇧

@MarianAlexandru0896 3 жыл бұрын

Just for once in my life i respect even the youtube algorithm for bringing me here ! R.I.P to everyone that fought in this war and all of the wars ! Respect from Romania !

@beno4014 6 жыл бұрын

I am truly moved by this remarkable video...I say remarkable as I’m almost lost for words. Thank you so much for making this.

@mcc9887 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you Sir

@ronatkins4868 6 жыл бұрын

Pete Benson wii

@checkmate2111 4 жыл бұрын

What a masterpiece you have created here.

@petergault4328 3 жыл бұрын

My grandfather went to this war at 17 years old in 1915 Canada . He was gone until 1920 , he was in London England from wounds he received in 100 day battle. We have his medals but he never said a word about it except that you dont want to be there!

@52memor 3 жыл бұрын

Wonderful. film My Grandfather George Longstaff was one of 200 survivors from his division West Surries Slightly gassed died in 1960 heart attack smoked liked a chimney and was a teetotaler. Thank you for showing this .

@donnythompson408 4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely superb work on this video. I admire the talent, time and research that you’ve put in to bringing the past alive for us. It’s greatly appreciated. Well done, Sir. 🙏

@Sk8ordiE151 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for making this! it’s incredible to think those are the same spots where so many young men died. RIP to all the brave souls who fought from both sides of the war.

@sommergarten 2 жыл бұрын

What an amazing piece of art. My great-grandma was born in 1916, and she never talked about what she knew of her father. IF she even knew him. So there are no stories left from that war in my (german) family. Thanks for sharing this very well researched film. Watching these young men passing by, smiling, waving, walking into doom, a tragedy. Today, in march of 2022, it suddenly feels very ... near and realistic.

@tigerstripey4885 2 жыл бұрын

One day it will all be forgotten, history will be rewritten. Like wars of the past, are forgotten by us.

@ROOKTABULA 6 ай бұрын

This is _really_ well done, the composing of the shots to match and making it about the soldiers instead of yourself. Very well done. 👌 I watched some clips by a couple 20-somethings and the shots are roughly composed with a hand held phone and, of course, they put themselves in so many of their clips, posing exactly in the same location and body position of the soldiers in the photos which made me 🤮.

@ladela7348 4 жыл бұрын

Brilliant. My Great-Great Grandfather was with the Royal Field Artillery during the war. Got off the boat in Belgium 1914 and served from Mons to the end of the war. Won the MM (we think during the Somme) for moving his gun to position after it was hit by counter battery fire and several crewmen and gunhorses were killed. Made it to 1918, died in the 30s iirc. His sons all served in WWII - one in the Navy, one in the RAF and my Great Grandfather was in the QRR.

@mcc9887 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching ...And respect to your Great Grandfather

@Axis2Classic270 4 жыл бұрын

A superb piece of research, what better example than this thesis/memory working document? Bringing the past alive, your work, because yes it is an awesome work, should be recognized by the official authorities. You reveal something that most people couldn't recognize today. For my part, and on a personal basis, as a French infantry soldier and as a senior officer, I just want to say : thank you, a warm thank you, from the bottom of my heart. LTC Phoumma

@mcc9887 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Sir for watching

@tophatanimation8748 Жыл бұрын

A truly remarkable piece of work and in my view, a fitting tribute to those lives needlessly wasted through war.

@TheCheeseManGuy Жыл бұрын

I had the pleasure of running into the creator of this work a couple of days ago whilst out walking, and after an interesting chat he pointed me towards this video, which he is rightfully very proud of. He's a really nice bloke, and this is such a moving tribute to the men who had to endure one of the worst collection of horrors in human history. Lest we forget.

@mcc9887 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching Joe .....

@finnboru7977 4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely brilliant piece of film-making. A copy of this belongs in the war museum of every combatant nation, and should be made available in the Somme battlefield interpretive centers.

@jamieT973 4 жыл бұрын

Can't understand why anyone would give this the thumbs down. Anyway absolutely outstanding piece of work, my grandad was wounded in the trenches in the Somme.

@rmartin1706 3 жыл бұрын

One of the best pieces ever put together on WW 1 footage. And I’ve seen A LOT. Exemplary work. Well done sir, well done!

@mcc9887 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching...

@GregAnthonyHarris 3 жыл бұрын

Your research is breath taking! A staggering creative tribute!

@grahamhodge8313 3 жыл бұрын

I visited the Somme battlefield with my son a couple of years before you made this video. We had to imagine the activity that took place at each site but you have performed a great service to anyone trying to understand what took place in those locations. My thanks and admiration for the excellent work you have done to create this then and now comparison.

@mcc9887 3 жыл бұрын

Graham Thank you for watching and so glad you can see what i was trying to do .....

@esco5593 4 жыл бұрын

This is so surreal to me. You could be driving on a peaceful road in the countryside, in the exact same place where thousands of soldiers might've died a hundred years ago. You could get out and stand in that exact same place where those same soldiers charged across that same field. I'm from America, so I don't get to experience that often, other than some Civil War battle sites that are near me

@mickuprichard4773 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the time and dedication in putting this tribute together. “Lest we ever forget”

@alisonnewstead7597 3 жыл бұрын

An amazing creation. Can;t imagine the time it must have taken you to find the exact locations. I have watched several videos about the Somme but this is a very special piece of work. Congratulations

@mcc9887 3 жыл бұрын

Alison thank you for watching and for your kind words it has taken me 25 years to locate all these places

@rayo1883 4 жыл бұрын

Your hard work is matched by your reverence. Everyone should see this, it somehow makes those choppy black and white soldiers more real.

@mcc9887 4 жыл бұрын

Sir ...Thank you for watching

@notsure64 4 жыл бұрын

Amazing and ghostly technique! Thank you so much for doing this. My dad was a vet of the Battle of the Bulge in WWII. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them

@simonmcowan6874 9 ай бұрын

I know it was posted 7 years ago, but I have just stumbled across it, brilliant stuff, great and accurate then and now, very well researched, have subscribed to watch more.

@divyabhashini 3 ай бұрын

I got no words.tysm..and rest in peace all the heros..you all in my heart..we are living cuz of them..they fought for us and can't even imagine the fear,pain they had felt..rest in peace all of those marvelous men..when everytime I'm watching these type of video it makes me emotional for no reason..ty for this.

@criddyboy1968 4 жыл бұрын

so moving,a true time machine,thank you so much for making this film.yesturday i played with my beautiful goddaughter and today im laying in bed on a sunday morning watching this video and later i can do anything i like, all thanks to those brave men. RIP

@mcc9887 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching i will be remaking it again soon ,when i can get back to France

@criddyboy1968 4 жыл бұрын

@@mcc9887 well done ,it really amazing to watch,cant imagine how many hours you have put into it,this will keep their memory alive for us all,young men and women that never got the chance to get old

@stephenhaldeman950 6 жыл бұрын

This is one of the most sensitive and well done videos I've seen in years. This took much time, care and effort. Thanks for your work to memorialize the soldiers involved here and keep those memories alive. For a moment they live again when we see their images overlaid on today's view of the places they served and in many cases, died.

@jean-yvesbngrt7410 2 жыл бұрын

I am a french sixty year old from Lorraine, and I wish to thank you for that kind of tremendous work .... I can't imagine how they survive that kind of tragedy !!! Wish I was not one of that soldier ....

@andrevillemaire5561 Жыл бұрын

We must never forget the sacrifice of so many young men and women....but it seems that today that message is getting lost....and the next genaration might be doomed to repeat it. Great video...your work is appreciated.

@nadinepartington2903 Жыл бұрын

My great grandad died on 1st day of the somme,if I could say one thing to him it would be just how proud I am of the sacrifices he and his mates made.I am so sorry they had to go through absolute hell to give us the freedom from tyranny we enjoy today.bwfc