Duke’s Days: Fires Were Started + Introduction
U 105 mins
U 105 mins
Step back in time to the days of yore at the Duke of York's with a series of films and special extras, all telling the story of the nation's oldest cinema.
At the penultimate event in our Duke’s Days season, we’ll be joined once again by tour guide, Sam Harris, who'll be telling stories from the Duke of York's, the neighbouring fire station, and Preston Circus from between 1901 to 1945. Featuring rare photographs on the big screen, you'll hear all about Louis Victor Lacroix, the fire chief who wowed residents with French fire brigade demonstrations; the unearthing of ancient Roman treasure during construction of the old tramline; secretly disguised communication bases; and more, whilst leading up to the dramatic days and impact of World War II in this leafy corner of Brighton.
Following this live introduction, we’ll be playing Fires Were Started, Humphrey Jenning’s 1943 documentary. Recreating scenes from the Blitz with real life firefighters and locations, Jenning’s film is a stunning day-and-night-in-the-life portrait of the lives of those bravely facing staggering dangers to protect their city and community from the fires of the air raids.