Through Three Reigns

This film is an early example of nostalgia in cinema, created by Cecil Hepworth. It is a lengthy program that compiles various films from Hepworth's personal collection, showcasing moments from history as recorded by the cinematograph.

The film reflects on the practices of the early film industry, where movies were often treated as disposable commodities. Rather than being duplicated, popular films would be re-staged and re-shot, leading to a loss of many original works over time.

Through Three Reigns highlights the importance of compilations in preserving cinematic history. For instance, it features the 'Musical Ride by Ladies' (1899), which is included in this film but did not survive in any other format. This aspect of the film underscores the role of compilations in maintaining access to otherwise lost films.