BFI

This dynamically composed actuality observes a popular Victorian fairground ride known as a switchback railway. This was a primitive kind of rollercoaster, with cars that only travelled up and down a short stretch of track. What is particularly interesting about this film is that it documents a Victorian fairground, a place where many early films were exhibited. This film therefore offers a glimpse of cinema's fairground beginnings.

It is arguable that the filmmaker, R.W. Paul, missed a trick by not placing the camera inside one of the moving cars to simulate the ride from the passenger's perspective, although he might have had difficulty keeping the camera steady. Nonetheless, the film was clearly a success, so much so that James Williamson and the Riley Brothers released their own switchback railway films only a few months later.

Christian Hayes

*This film is included in the BFI DVD compilation 'R.W. Paul: The Collected Films 1895-1908', with music by Stephen Horne and optional commentary by Ian Christie.

Click titles to see or read more