A new film made from more than 100 fragments of archive film from Greater Manchester and the north of Emgland is now available to watch online next week. Yorkshire Silent Film Festival is releasing Echoes of the North: Four Chapters in Time following its premiere in Morecambe last month.
The new silent, hour-long film, with an original brass score, aims to transport viewers back to life in northern England a century ago - its industries and rural life, its wartimes and festivals, its holidays, family excursions and huge, city-wide occasions.. It includes a number of clips from Greater Manchester, including First World War footage from Saddleworth showing men being welcomed back from the front, and additional footage from Manchester, Stockport, Bury and Bolton.
The film is accompanied by a new score – the first ever all-brass soundtrack for a silent film – by acclaimed composer and musician Neil Brand. He said: “If ever a marriage of two art forms was long overdue, it is this coming together of silent film and brass band music. The wonderful, resonant images of people going about their lives, work, play and conflict in the first 30 years of the last century spring to life with the timeless beauty of the brass band sound, music that evolves and matches every contrasting mood for us today, just as it could have done when these scenes were shot.”
Jonny Best, artistic director of Yorkshire Silent Film Festival, said: “Following the phenomenal reception at last month’s premiere, we’re excited to share Echoes of the North with viewers far and wide. We hope that people across the North, all over the UK, and further afield, will enjoy watching this one of a kind film. Whether you’re interested in the history and heritage of Northern England or simply love the glorious sound of brass, the beautiful archive footage combined with the stunning soundtrack will take you an emotional journey back in time.”
Echoes of the North has been created in partnership with Yorkshire Film Archive, North West Film Archive, North East Film Archive, and London’s Archive Film Agency, and edited by Andy Burns, and you can view it on Youtube til March 2023. For more details see the Yorkshire Silent Film Festival website here.
1. Echoes of the North
This image shows a flower stall at Stockport market circa 1910 Photo: Echoes of the North
2. Echoes of the North
This screengrab from the silent film shows Saddleworth welcoming back its First World War heroes in 1919 Photo: Echoes of the North
3. Echoes of the North
Inside an unnamed factory in 1919 Photo: Echoes of the North
4. Echoes of the North
Women hard at work in this unnamed factory in 1919 Photo: Echoes of the North