First Color Motion Picture Footage Discovered In The UK

Talk about a breakthrough.

The National Media Museum located in Bradford in the UK has found itself in the minds of cinephiles everywhere, as they have made one of the most historic cinematic discoveries in quite some time.

The BBC is reporting that they have discovered what is believed to be the first bit of color motion picture photography, dating all the way back to 1902. The test reel features a trio of children playing with flowers, and was shot by Edward Raymond Turner who would, three years prior, patent a color process in 1899.

The film has been restored thanks to the team at the National Media Museum, and is now in front of audiences for the very first time. Now, while it’s unlikely that this will ever be included in any form of home video release, this is historically massively important as it is truly the first motion photography done in color known to historians. I’d love to see a box set of ‘experimental’ early color work come from someone, but that is highly unlikely given the niche that a short like this has. However, it’s one hell of a breakthrough.

Source BBC