Votes for Women (film)

Votes for Women is a 1912 silent film produced in the United Kingdom, directed by the pioneering British film director and actor, Herbert Brenon. The film is notable for its direct engagement with the contemporary British suffrage movement, advocating for women's right to vote.

The plot revolves around a wealthy anti-suffragist woman who is converted to the cause after witnessing the struggles and injustices faced by working-class women and the passionate dedication of suffragettes. She becomes involved in the movement, facing social ostracism and potential legal repercussions.

While the film itself is now considered lost, with no known copies existing, its historical significance remains important. Contemporary accounts and reviews describe the film as a powerful piece of propaganda, intended to sway public opinion in favor of women's suffrage. The film starred Herbert Brenon and his wife, Helen Gardner, who also played the converted anti-suffragist.

Votes for Women exemplifies the use of early cinema as a tool for social and political commentary. Despite its loss, its impact is understood through historical records and continues to be studied in the context of early film history and the history of the women's suffrage movement. The film's existence demonstrates the early engagement of the film industry with pressing social issues and its potential to influence public discourse.