Attack on a China Mission | 1900 | Drama, War.

Title: Attack on a China Mission | 1900 | Drama, War. Director: James Williamson. Studio: Williamson Kinematograph Company. Starring: Mr. James, Mr. Lepard, Florence Williamson. Release Date: 17 November 1900. Runtime: 4. Format: Silent, black-and-white. Country: United Kingdom. Language: Silent. Genres: Drama, War. --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Arrival of the Boxers 00:00:18 Gates forced and defenders overwhelmed 00:00:40 Alarm from the balcony 00:00:55 Bluejackets approach 00:01:10 Rescue and withdrawal --- Summary: Set against the Boxer Rebellion, the film depicts an attack on a Christian mission house, the killing of the missionary, and the endangered wife and daughter. British naval ratings arrive and drive off the attackers, enabling a rescue and escape. Although brief, the film provides a coherent multi-shot narrative uncommon for its time, framing the incident as a contemporary melodrama of siege, relief, and evacuation. --- Background: Produced in Hove, England, and premiered at Hove Town Hall on 17 November 1900, the film was created to satisfy public interest in moving-picture coverage of the Boxer crisis. James Williamson staged it at a derelict house and employed then-innovative techniques, including a reverse-angle cut; BFI notes two versions, with added opening material and a cutaway to the rescuers. --- Trivia: The film originally measured about 230 feet; roughly half survives today, including material from all four shots, with commonly circulated versions running about 1 minute 25 seconds. It is also known by alternate titles, including Attack on a Chinese Mission and Bluejackets to the Rescue. Credits identify Mr. James as the officer, Mr. Lepard as the missionary, and Florence Williamson as the daughter. U.S. distribution followed later via American Mutoscope and Biograph Co. and the Kleine Optical Co. Williamson’s use of a reverse-angle cut and multi-shot continuity has been cited as influential in early narrative cinema. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: 17 November 1900. Original Studio / Distributor: Williamson Kinematograph Company. Copyright Status: Public Domain. Renewal: Unknown. --- Hashtags: AttackOnAChinaMission JamesWilliamson BoxerRebellion SilentFilm BritishCinema PublicDomain EarlyCinema This video was sourced from Internet Archive. Originally uploaded by James Williamson. https://archive.org/details/silent-attack-on-a-china-mission