BFI

This shot takes up a roll of film which was one of several filmed in Bradford City Centre, showing the city's celebrations of Edward VII's accession to the throne. This material was commissioned by Sydney Carter and shot by the Mitchell and Kenyon firm - and screened within days as a film of several hundred feet.

This roll succinctly summarises the place of Empire - within publicly staged versions, at least - of Britain's sense of national identity. Two very different parts of the Empire - Canada and India - appear in the procession represented by ethnic stereotypes before banners for the four nations making up the United Kingdom itself appear: England, Ireland (all of it then part of the UK), Scotland and Wales.

Patrick Russell

*This film can also be viewed via the BFI's YouTube channel.

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