The History of the World's Greatest War (1915)

Presented by the Hearst newspapers in conjunction with the Selig Polyscope Company. Reel 1: Animated war map of the western theater of war showing the movements of troops and progress of campaign up to early part of December. Scenes in London, Berlin and Brussels at the outbreak of the war in the early part of August, showing troops mobilizing, etc. King Albert of Belgium takes the field at the head of his army. Belgian troops tear up roads and entrench themselves to meet the German advance. Reel 2: With the approach of the Germans the vanguard of the great Belgian refugee army begins its flight from Tirlemont. Scenes show the terror-stricken people hurrying along the roads in carts, wheelbarrows, etc. Once fashionable beach at Ostend is converted into a refuge shelter; scene shows refugees standing in front of bathing houses and a general view of the beach as it looked latter part of August. Feeding refugees in the royal palace at Ostend. Feeding and housing refugees in the Palace des Fetes at Ghent. Starving women of Malines rushing for a place in line to get food being distributed from the City Hall. Belgian soldiers in the field and in trenches to meet the advance of the oncoming Germans. Occupation of Brussels by the German troops on August 16, showing the army marching through the captured city. Reel 3: Animated war map of the fighting in the East, showing the advance and retreat of the Austrian, German and Russian armies from the outbreak of the war in August up to the early part of December, followed by pictures showing the ruins of the towns in East Prussia, following the first Russian invasion, and the German troops on the march through these towns to repel the invaders. View of thousands of Russian prisoners being marched to the detention camp at Konigsberg. Story then returns to the western field and pictures show the retreat of the French and British army to the Marne. View of the battlefield at Senlis and ruins of the city. It was at this place, only 25 miles from Paris, that the German right wing under Von Kluck began its great turning movement, which resulted in the German retreat to the Aisne. This reel ends with scenes from Louvain following the destruction of that city by German troops, and the last scene shows the victorious invaders passing in review before the marine commandant in the famous goose-step. Reel 4: In order to fill the great gaps in her ranks, England calls on her colonies for aid. This reel opens with a review of the Canadian troops at Valcartier, Quebec, before sailing for the front. Story then goes back to Belgium, where the Belgian troops are harassing the German advance. Pictures show the Battle of Lubbeek, the scene showing the Belgian artillery advancing into battle and firing. Next scene shows the wounded being brought into Benduyne, Belgium, a picture of the interior of the hospital with the Red Cross nurses at work. This is followed by a scene in Berlin showing the Princess Alexandra paying a visit to the German wounded. This reel closes with scenes from the prison camps in England and Germany, showing German prisoners of war at work in the former, and thousands of French prisoners of war being marched into the camp at Konigsbruck, including wounded soldiers. Reel 5: This reel opens with views of Rheims after the bombardment September 18, showing the damage done to the famous cathedral. Also is shown a picture of a falling wall which was caused by a bursting shell. This is followed by a picture of the British troops making their way through northern Belgium to reinforce the Antwerp garrison. This is followed by a battle scene on the outskirts of Antwerp, showing half a dozen Belgian guns in action This is followed by the retreat of the Belgian army from Antwerp. The reel closes with a scene of a soldiers grave near Compiegne.