LAST MUSTER FILM 1909-10
To-morrow at the matinee at 2.30 the usual weekly afternoon performance will signalise the opening of at new collection of "ribbons animate." Prominent amongst the new features is Gaumont's picture of "The Last Muster of the Survivors of the Light Brigade."
On the occasion of the film's presentation at Spencer's Lyceum. Sydney, the picture is said to have made the building ring with British cheers - cheers for the men who fought and bled when the East reddened her banners with barbarous deeds, 55 years ago.
Mr. Geo. F. Todd states he has been advised by Mr. Dean that all the profits derived from the production of these pictures are being devoted to the men who now, broken and bent, are fighting another battle-against hunger and want.
[Source: Launceston? TO BE COMPLETED...]
Trove: Link.]
Gray River Argus, September 20, 1910
The film was shown widely, including in Wanganui in 1910:
"THE LAST MUSTER"
A special feature of the Thompson-Payne picture programme on Thursday evening will be a film depicting "the Last Muster of the Balaclava Light Brigade." The management are showing this film for the benefit of the Balaclava Survivors' Fund, which has done so much for those survivors of the "gallant six hundred" who are in needy circumstances. The film is being shown by request of the Gaumont Co. Ltd., of London, by special arrangement with Mr T. H. Roberts. Apart from its charitable object, the film cannot fail to appeal to a British community.
[Source: "THE LAST MUSTER." Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12561, 13 July 1910, p.4, Link (accessed 10.9.2014)]
PB: Since finding these articles, I have learnt that Doug Austin wrote a brief essay on the subject in 20?? in the War Correspondent ... He searched in various archives, including the BFI, but no copies of the film, which would have been the only moving images of Chargers, appear to have survived — "living portraits of them to hand down to posterity. ".[TO BE COMPLETED...]
Link to the the Roberts Fund.