SAVE THE VICTORY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17927, 22 November 1923, Page 14

SAVE THE VICTORY.

PICTURE STORY OF THE FLAGSHIP.

(FBOM OUR OWN CORRT.SPOHDWJT.)

LONDON, October 10.

Admiral of the Fleet Sir F. C. Doveton Sturdee addressed a large invited audience , yesterday at the Alhambrn, when the film of H.M.S. Victory was shown for the "first time. "JVhen his Majesty the King heard that a film had been produced," said the Admiral,

"ho commanded an exhibition of it at Balmoral Castle, and expressed great gratification, with the results achieved." In appealing to the film producers, Admiral Sturuee said that he wanted it shown not so much to raise money for the "Save the Victory Fund" as to invoke that patriotism which this nation had always possessed, and which" it required in the future just as much as in the past. To manufacture a film which gives in less than an hour the history of Nelson's flagship is something rather out of the usual line of film production, but those responsible have succeeded in giving the public something quite inspiring and at the same time educational. To depict the flagship in movement in the many engagements in which sue took part, of course, is impossible, but a!) the excellent battle paintings extant, showing various (engagements m which the Victory took part from 17(8 until she was towed into Gibraltar after Trafalgar are pressed into service. Sub-headings are taken from "The Story of H.M.S. Victory" by Geoffrey Callender. We see the first Victory, -which was builb in 1560, carrying her six sails, and then Nelson's Victory flying before tho wind with her thirty-one sails. A space of a hundred years brings us to a scene on the high seas to-day, with a line of super-Dreadnougbts firing broadsides. We see the Victory oil the stocks at Chatham, the christening ceremony, and in this latter the Victory as it is to-day is used as a basis for the picture. So on through her victorious career in many battles to tile great day of Trafalgar. The scene . jf Nelson's death has been re-enacted for the film on board the Victory, and here there is movement and reaJism. Nelson's funeral in London follows, and we see the great column m irar falgar square beneath its scaffolding—a nation's tribute to the famous admiral. . . •

Then follow actual modern scenes relating to the old flagship as she lay ,ac anchor at Portsmouth—an inspection on board by the late Prince Louis

(Continued at foot of next column.)

Jpw? from th *.