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Topical Budget 504-2: The Cup Final 1921 Greatest Event in Football History (1921)
 

Synopsis

Warning: screenonline full synopses contain 'spoilers' which give away key plot points. Don't read on if you don't want to know the ending!

CUP FINAL 1921 [underlined] GREATEST EVENT IN FOOTBALL HISTORY [Title superimposed over scene from the game] "The Topical Budget presents Exclusively [underlined] the pictures of the great match taken on the Stamford Bridge ground...Any other films shown are without the consent of the...F.A. Authorities...Topical Budget. Greatest Cup Final. Tottenham Hotspur defeat Wolverhampton Wanderers by 1 goal to nil...All roads led to Stamford Bridge". People crowding onto a train. Crowds walking down street filmed from moving vehicle. Crowds entering the stadium. People seated in stadium. Close shot of enthusiastic Spurs fans. "When his Majesty arrived unexpectedly the vast throng sang 'God Save The King'". Arrival of King's car outside the stadium. Crowds cheering and waving. "'Wolves' Take the Field". Wolves team come out of the tunnel followed by referee and two linesmen. "'Spurs' Take the Field". Spurs team come out of the tunnel. "The teams were presented while the King stood in the pelting rain". King shaking hands with Wolves players in driving rain. Captains shake hands at the centre. The toss. "A terrific storm marred the first portion of the play". Match in progress. "It was practically impossible for the players to keep their feet". Low level shot of three injured players on the ground. "The Australian cricketers watch the game". Close shot of men watching the match. Pan shot of game from one side of stadium to the other from behind Wolves' goal. Spurs attack and shot at goal saved by keeper. Two further shots at goal cleared. King and officials watching game. "Half Time - 'Spurs' 0. 'Wolves' 0". Further shots of the game (weather now improved). "'Wolves' Goal in Peril!". Shot at goal saved and keeper clears the ball. Another Spurs attack. Keeper saves and is injured. Another save. Crowd in stadium. Three further saves by Wolves keeper filmed from differing angles. Action in Wolves' half. Keeper clears ball with a punch. "Dimmock - outside left - scored for the Spurs five minutes after the interval". Spurs attack. Jimmy Dimmock scores. "GOAL!!". Close-up of cheering fans. Goal shown again from closer position behind goal. Cheering crowds. Attack on Spurs' goal. Ball cleared. Ball goes off Wolves' bar. King watching game - his walking stick falls and is picked up by the man next to him. Action in centre of pitch. Pan shot from one side of stadium to other from behind Spurs' goal. Wolves' goalmouth. "'Wolves' Constantly Hard-Pressed". A near miss followed by corner and a shot at goal cleared by a header. "Cleared!". Ball misses goal. "There was a tremendous rush to see the King present the Cup". Crowds rushing onto the pitch. Medium shot of Spurs players lined up to receive cup medals (shot initially obscured by policeman's head). Captain walks down with the Cup. Jump cut to Wolves' players receiving medals. King and officials give cheers.

Note: Topical Budget had bought the rights to film the match and had privileged camera positions. Some sequences taken in the first half are actually shown in the second half, and there are some from the second in the first. One attack on goal is shown in long shot as being in the first half and in medium shot from another angle as being in the second half. The problem of the weather and the speed with which the film was brought out may have led to these deceptions. Main shots were taken from a fixed position in the crowd behind and above the goal on the right-hand side, with closer shots taken by one or two cameramen at various positions behind the goal. There was the same set-up at both ends. Two further cameramen were positioned midway on either side and another was positioned to take shots of the King and the presentation ceremony. One cameraman alone may have filmed scenes outside the stadium. Cameramen can be seen at work at various stages in the film.