This film is part of Free
Indian Durbar
The "rich and vivid spectacle" of the Durbar held for the Maharaja of Alwar is captured in gorgeous Technicolor by Jack Cardiff in this travelogue.
Overview
The "rich and vivid spectacle" of the Durbar held for the Maharaja of Alwar (in Rajasthan) is captured in ravishingly beautiful colour in this travelogue. The condescending commentary grates, but the stunning images - capturing the spectacle of the Maharajah's lavish parade (complete with elephant-pulled carriage) the dancers and the succession of tributes in the opulent palace courtyard - more than make up for it. They were shot by Jack Cardiff, world-recognised (and Oscar-winning) master of Technicolor.
Indian Durbar was one of a number of short travelogues shot by Cardiff in India (and many more elsewhere) in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Others include A Road in India and A Village in India. For the Technicolor company, the exoticism of the films' subjects offered a very useful demonstration of their vibrant colour process.
Related
Schools for Moslems Schools for Moslems
Documentary 1980 27 mins Location: Bury
A visit to Darul Uloom School in South Lancashire, the UK's first Muslim school
Xcitement! Xcitement!
Pornography 1960 5 mins Silent
Glamour goddess Pamela Green reveals all in a key ‘60s striptease collaboration with George Harrison Marks.
Heaven (Gay Life) Heaven (Gay Life)
Factual TV 1980 25 mins
The LGBT current affairs series visits the new Heaven nightclub, contrasting it with other parts of London’s gay scene.
Introduction to Northampton Introduction to Northampton
Documentary 1963 17 mins Location: Northampton
Your employer is relocating to Northampton. Will this film convince you it's a good idea for you too?
If I Film at 2fps… If I Film at 2fps…
Amateur film 1965 3 mins Location: Middlesbrough
A ride on the wild side through Middlesbrough and Teesside.
Chapeltown: One Year On Chapeltown: One Year On
Documentary 1987 21 mins Location: Chapeltown
A documentary that reveals the gap between the talent and determination of a community, and its lack of control over its own destiny.
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Bell of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.