Anzac films restored

The NFSA has supplied hundreds of clips from more than 60 films for the Sir John Monash Centre (SJMC) in Villers-Bretonneux, northern France.

This rare footage, dating back as far as 1899, has been made available for the first time in ultra-high definition (4K). The before and after clip of The Digger Carries On (1919), above, is a good example of the improved quality of the 4K scans from the old analogue technology. The new version reveals people, places and events from 100 years ago as though they were shot only yesterday.

The clips supplied show life in Australia before the First World War (1899–1914) as well as the decade after the war, interspersed with material of life on the 'home front' and war footage showing our involvement on the front line.

In restoring the clips, optimum 35mm film components were carefully chosen and scanned by the NFSA especially for the SJMC, using a state-of-the-art Australian designed Blackmagic Cintel scanner. We are proud to showcase these invaluable films from our collection.

You can watch the full version of The Digger Carries On (1919) below.

The Sir John Monash Centre (SJMC) is set on the grounds of the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery in northern France, adjacent to the Australian National Memorial. It is the hub of the Australian Remembrance Trail along the Western Front and establishes a lasting international legacy of Australia’s Centenary of Anzac 2014-2018.