The films which have survived

Unfortunately, British silent films were considered worthless once sound was introduced, so many did not survive – storage costs were high, the nitrate stock was flammable and so many films were destroyed.  Of the twenty-two films described here, only seven films have survived.

Despite the highly flammable nitrate stock of which these films were made, six of Charles Ashton’s films are viewable in 35 mm format or transferred to VHS or DVD-R formats and can be viewed for a small fee at the BFI in Stephen Street, London.   These films are: Kitty (1929), We Women (1925 ), The Monkey’s Paw (1923), A Will and A Way (1922), Head of the Family (1922) and Sam’s Boy (1922). The American Prisoner (1929) is held in its original nitrate stock and is, therefore, not available for viewing by the public.

BFI’s Research Viewing Service http://www.bfi.org.uk/nftva/access/rvs.html

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