This film is part of Free
General French at Tranby Croft (1902)
A Boer war hero visits a magnificent country house, scene of a royal scandal.
Overview
Although he couldn't quite match the celebrity heights of Boer War heroes such as Lord Kitchener and Robert Baden-Powell, General French won headlines in February 1900 as the liberator of Kimberley in the Far North Cape. Seen here smoking in a relaxed fashion in the dark suit and no hat, French casually poses for the camera with his hosts.
Tranby Croft, located in Allaby, East Riding, was the home of Hull ship-owner Arthur Wilson. The house rose to fame in 1890 when the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII) became embroiled in a gambling scandal involving an illegal game of Baccarat.
Related
Return of the Brave Manchester Volunteers (1901) Return of the Brave Manchester Volunteers (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 5 mins Silent Location: Manchester
Crowds throng the streets for the return of Manchester's Volunteers from South Africa.
Royal Scots Regiment at Edinburgh Castle (1901) Royal Scots Regiment at Edinburgh Castle (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 5 mins Silent Location: Edinburgh Castle
Troops play up for the camera in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle.
Return of the Lancaster Volunteers (1901) Return of the Lancaster Volunteers (1901)
Non-Fiction 1902 3 mins Silent Location: Lancaster
Some nifty product placement creeps in to this formal portrait of the Lancaster Volunteers.
Torpedo Flotilla Visit to Manchester (1901) Torpedo Flotilla Visit to Manchester (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 19 mins Silent Location: Manchester
The might of the British Navy struts its stuff down the Manchester Ship Canal.
Parade of the Bolton Artillery Volunteers (1901) Parade of the Bolton Artillery Volunteers (1901)
Non-Fiction 1904 3 mins Silent Location: Bolton
The Bolton Artillery Volunteers put on an impressive parade despite the snow.
Fleet in the Tyne (1901) Fleet in the Tyne (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 3 mins Silent Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Destroyers from the Edwardian Royal Navy filmed from a ship in the Tyne.
New Perspectives: Tangerine New Perspectives: Tangerine
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Wallace, a student at Northumbria university, explains why Sean Baker's LA-set comedy-drama, about a transgender sex worker on the hunt for her cheating -ex, is worth your time.
Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode
Inside Film 2025 44 mins
Daniel Craig talks to Mark Kermode about his acting career, from his early role in Love is the Devil through to the Luca Guadagnino directed Queer.
New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.