The Battle of the Somme

Year 9 History students have been investigating several different interpretations of the First World War, from letters and diaries written at the time, to programmes such as ‘Blackadder Goes Forth’ made in the 1980s. “The Battle of the Somme” film, made and shown in 1916, gives a very definite interpretation of the war. It was hugely popular in Britain, breaking box-office records when it opened in most of Britain’s 4,500 cinemas. View the clip and think about how people would feel about the war, viewing this film in 1916. Why do you think it gives this particular interpretation? Post your comments, and remember that looking at the context of a piece of evidence always gives an excellent answer in History!