Projected, the film premiered on 14 January 1896 when Acres showed it to the Royal Photographic Society in Hanover Street, London, using his "Kinetic Lantern", along with various other films made during the period Acres was working with Paul.
Following its successful screening in London the film was taken to the United States where it was shown on 23 April 1896 at Koster and Bial's Music Hall in New York City with a series of American movies made by the Edison's company.
Despite its simple nature, Rough Sea at Dover became one of the most popular and widely screened early British films.
The first shot is of the rough sea as heavy waves crash against Admiralty Pier in Dover.
The second shot is from a different location along a riverbank showing a view of fast-flowing water.