The Battle of the Ancre and the Advance of the Tanks

The Battle of the Ancre and the Advance of the Tanks is a powerful, vivid, and historically significant documentary film from 1917 that takes us into the heart of the First World War. Directed by Geoffrey Malins and presented by the War Office Cinematograph Committee in Britain, this enthralling visual record offers a unique, first-hand view of the war's consequences and triumphs, primarily focusing on the Battle of the Ancre - the last significant British offensive of the Battle of the Somme.

Like its predecessor film, The Battle of the Somme, this monumental piece of cinema holds importance not just as an effective propaganda tool but also as an immersive visual historical document. The film showcases a definitive early use of tanks in warfare, providing viewers a remarkable insight into the horrifying reality of the war.

The documentary comprises a series of episodes, each subtly building on the narrative. The starting episodes paint a stark picture of nature's relentless power, showing wintry landscapes where soldiers exist amidst snow, sleet, and mist. The film's beginning establishes the hellish conditions in which the soldiers carried out their orders, highlighting the human endurance in the face of bleak nature and war's destruction.

As the film progresses, we are introduced to the striking aspect of the film - the advent of the tanks. These mechanical beasts, used for the first time in a significant capacity during this war, became an iconic symbol of World War I. They are shown advancing through the unformed expanse of No Man's Land, providing cover to the on-foot soldiers, and surmounting obstructive trenches with their astounding engineering.

The image of these new weapons of war trudging inexorably forward through the muddy, pocked, and barbed wire-laden landscapes encapsulates the horrific yet transformative time in our global history. The sight of these iron giants, spewing smoke and death, is eerie and surreal today, but they must have been absolutely terrifying for the soldiers of the era who faced them for the first time.

Besides showing the devastating power of the tanks, The Battle of the Ancre and the Advance of the Tanks capture the human elements of the war. It presents the soldiers in various settings - in combat, during rest, maintaining their weapons, treating the wounded, burying the dead, and interacting with prisoners of war. In these intimate glimpses into the lives of the soldiers, the film reveals the toll war takes on individual lives, making a poignant statement about the real cost of war.

Moreover, it showcases the vast, rigorous logistical network at the war’s back end, from moving artillery pieces and transporting supplies to constructing defenses and maintaining communication lines. It demonstrates the complexities of warfare, moving beyond the romanticized notion of the heroic soldier at the front line.

Technically, the film is remarkable, given the challenging conditions under which it was shot. Its lingering wide shots cast an acute light on the ravages of war, while the close-ups of soldiers, despite their silence, tell compelling stories of courage, nobility, humor, and desperation.

The narrative tone of the film is one of restrained stoicism, commensurate with the 'keep calm and carry on' spirit that characterized much of Britain's stance during the war. The documentary serves as a potent demonstration of British resilience and tenacity, capturing the grim determination of the soldiers even amidst the death and destruction that surrounded them.

In many ways, The Battle of the Ancre and the Advance of the Tanks is a testament to the grim reality of war and the spirit of the soldiers who endured it. By providing us unfiltered access to the environment of 1917, it serves as a powerful chronicle of the human condition in times of war. The film’s authenticity and historical significance make it a must-watch for anyone interested in military history, cinematography, or the human aspects of conflict.