The Battle of the Somme was a strong point in English propaganda during the first world war. The film, which describes the various phases of the battle, was a great success with the public when it came out in August 1916. Some of the scenes in particular remain foundation stones of the portrayal of the war. Some of them are suspected to have been manipulated or shot behind the lines. This doesn’t take anything away from the effectiveness of the film, its impact on the English public or its historical importance.