This film is part of Free
India
Amateur film of the passage to India - complete with guest appearance by Gandhi
Overview
After a slightly disorientating shot of a European cathedral, we’re off along the Suez Canal and heading to India, via a rather half-hearted game of musical chairs. Frustratingly, we have no documentation about this film. However, its series of snapshots of rural and city life in India are fascinating. The highlight is a brief sequence featuring a political rally attended by Gandhi. By the time our amateur filmmaker arrived, however, a slightly taciturn-looking Gandhi was already sitting in the back of the car reading his newspaper and ready to leave. The film ends with a sequence of what appears to the Kolkata or Varanasi ghats. It is interesting to compare this footage with Panorama of Calcutta (1899), also available on BFI Player.
If you have any further information about this film or can identify any of the people, locations or events, please let us know.
Related
Mother Mother
Documentary 1947 16 mins
A social worker teaches her Indian village neighbours about clean, modern childbirth
Child Child
Documentary 1947 18 mins Silent
Advice for village families on raising children to become strong, healthy citizens
A Native Street in India A Native Street in India
Travelogue 1906 2 mins Silent
Early film of a crowded street scene in an unidentified Indian city. Can you identify it?
Sports dans l'armée des Indes Sports dans l'armée des Indes
Interest film 1910 5 mins Silent
A demonstration of sport and fitness by members of the Indian Army
India - Personal Film 1 - C. 1940 India - Personal Film 1 - C. 1940
Amateur film 1940 2 mins Silent
Family life in colonial India - baby Georgina with her British mother and Chinese amah, possibly in Calcutta
India: Hunting with Elephants India: Hunting with Elephants
Non-Fiction 1930 10 mins
On the trail of big game in this extraordinary home movie shot by famous hunter and conservationist Jim Corbett
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.