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Hi Neville,
Is there any info as to how much money was made from these films? How popular were they? They must have had a following as there are numerous ones. I know Buffalo Bill was super popular in The States and UK, and perhaps these were a more niche version of his show.

John,

I suspect the popularity of staged battles quickly waned once outfits such as the Biograph Company and Warwick Trading Company started sending genuine footage back from the front. The two film makers mentioned in my earlier posts turned their backs on these re-enactments once they were able to provide the public with the real deal. Indeed, Wrench's statement "it is absolutely impossible to take a film of a genuine battle scene or any film of fighting ...... and therefore the subject does not lend itself to cinematography" turned out to be quite untrue. Dixon's films of ambulances returning from Spion Kop and the 4.7-inch guns bombarding Colenso proved far more popular than the amateur dramatics on Hampstead Heath.

So, my guess is that the re-enactments enjoyed a very brief period of popularity during November 1899 which then fizzled out.

..

Neville,
Most interesting! Thank you. Are the Biograph and Warwick Trading Co films available online to watch?
Thanks in advance, John

Here is a selection from the British Film Institute Archive that can be viewed online:

C.I.V.'s Marching aboard S.S. "Garth Castle"

Ladysmith - Naval Brigade Dragging 4.7 Guns into Ladysmith

Gordon Highlanders in Ladysmith

Panoramic View of Frere Camp Taken from the Front of an Armoured Train, November 29th, 1899

Naval Guns Firing at Colenso

Battle of Spion Kop: Ambulance Corps Crossing the Tugela River (1)

The Arrival and Reception of Lord Roberts at Capetown

War Balloon and Transport Crossing the Vaal River

Field Ambulances Crossing the Vaal River

The 5-inch Siege Guns Crossing Vaal River

Lancers Crossing the Modder River

General Buller's Transport Train of Ox-teams

Entry of the Scots' Guards into Bloemfontein

Infantry at Pretoria (c.1900)

H.M.S. "Powerful" Arriving in Portsmouth Harbour

Lord Roberts Presenting Medals to Boer War Volunteers in Liverpool (1901)

The 'Roslin Castle' (Troopship) Leaving for South Africa

Coldstream Guards Embarking on Troopship Gascon

Troopship Nubia Leaving Harbour

The Heroes of Ladysmith Marching through London

Return of the Brave Manchester Volunteers (1901)

Return of the Lancaster Volunteers (1901)

Return of the East Lancashire Regiment at Preston (1902)

Ralph Pringle Interviewing Private Ward V.C. Hero in Leeds (1901)

Lieutenant Clive Wilson and Tranby Croft Party (1902)

Return of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (1901)

..

What a great list. I shall now start watching them. Thank you VERY much.
All the best, John