Black and white film

A film where all scenes no matter what the original colour are represented in shades of grey.

Black and white (B&W) motion picture film generally consists of a minimum of five layers:

• a thin clear gelatin layer without any additions which serves as a protective layer against mechanical damage;
• the light sensitive layer consisting of a suspension of silver salts in gelatin (the actual emulsion). It may have been coated on in one or multiple layers;
• the adhesive substratum which binds the emulsion to the base;
• the base or support consisting chiefly of nitro-cellulose (nitrate film) or acetyl-cellulose (triacetate, safety film);
• there may be a further layer for anti-halation purposes; or a coating of gelatin to prevent curling; or a layer which serves both of these purposes.