This is the first individual heritage item of the United Kingdom on the Memory of the World Register, but the film is known for other firsts. It was the first feature length documentary to record war in action and it was a major influence in establishing the methodology of film documentary. Its merit influenced the establishment in 1921 of the film archive of the Imperial War Museum, one of the earliest institutional film archives.

The film has had wide impact starting with allied countries in World War 1, and expanded geographically and over time up to the present day. It recorded a seminal and legendary battle, and was influential on the course of history by awakening public consciousness during war and through its use to promote the Allied cause and as propaganda.

The screening was the first public projection of the new digitally re-mastered version and was accompanied by the world premiere performance of a new orchestral score commissioned by the Museum. The screening was an opportunity to experience the 'silent' film under similar conditions to those its first audience would have known: projection on a large screen and supported by a live musical accompaniment.

Heritage on the Memory of the World Register comes from all geographic regions. It currently lists 120 items from 59 different countries. Heritage ranges from films to rock inscriptions, from sound recording to photographs, from ancient manuscripts to newspaper collections. There are three types of register: International, Regional and National. All registers contain material of world significance and an item may appear on one or more register. The International Register lists documentary heritage which the International Advisory Committee (IAC) has judged meets established criteria concerning world significance. Decisions to recommend inscription on the Register are taken by the IAC at its biennial meetings and are, in turn, based on the recommendations and assessment undertaken through the work of the Register Sub-committee and its panels of experts covering the various disciplines.

The deadline for submitting new nominations to be examined in 2008/2009 is 31 March 2008.