This film is part of Free
Boys' Home in Ahmednagar
What’s the hidden message inside this intriguing film, shot at a Salvation Army establishment in western India?
Overview
This intriguing film seems to have a hidden message for us. It was apparently filmed in the grounds of a Salvation Army establishment in Ahmednagar, in Maharashtra, western India (the date is estimated and may be later than 1905). Groups of boys, clapping their hands in rhythmic unison, are arranged to make up various letters of an alphabet – clearly an ‘M’ at the start but some of the letters are less distinct. What do they spell?
Related
Temples of India Temples of India
Travelogue 1938 10 mins
Technicolor temple tour shot by the great Jack Cardiff
Sarnath, Benares & Santal Tribes Sarnath, Benares & Santal Tribes
Documentary 1934 27 mins Silent
Film of the Santhal tribe of North East India featuring Sarnath and Benares (Varanasi) in Uttar Pradesh.
Taj Mahal, Local Indian Scenes and a cruise to Port Said: Colonel Alexander Personal Film 5 Taj Mahal, Local Indian Scenes and a cruise to Port Said: Colonel Alexander Personal Film 5
Non-Fiction 1944 8 mins Silent
Luscious colour photography of the Taj Mahal and a Mediterranean cruise to Port Said
Gwalior Gwalior
Interest film 1922 0 mins Silent
The Prince of Wales and the Maharajah of Gwalior ride an elephant in a grand procession
Street Scenes in India: Colonel Alexander Personal Film 1 Street Scenes in India: Colonel Alexander Personal Film 1
Non-Fiction 1935 9 mins Silent
From the arrival of a new viceroy to street markets, this amateur film captures the diversity of life in colonial India
Khalapur Carpets Khalapur Carpets
Promotional 1932 12 mins Silent
Indian carpets make their way to Montreal in this promotional film
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.