This film is part of Free
Ladakh
A stunning trek from the vale of Kashmir, via Sind Valley and Kargil and Lamayaru Monastry
Overview
These stunning colour images give us a rare tour of the remote, mountainous regions of India's far north, approaching the Tibetan border. They document a 400-mile trek by intrepid traveller and amateur filmmaker John C. Jewell, from the vale of Kashmir, via the Sind Valley, and the Lamayaru Monastry, 3.5 km above sea level. Along the way we see the Indus River, Spituk Gompa, Leh, Khardung La, and the Kangi gorge and pass. While the scenery is stunning, we also meet local people and get a taste of their culture, including a village dance.
This was one of a collection of well over 100 films shot by prolific amateur filmmaker John C. Jewell to document his travels (as well as his sporting interests). Jewell travelled extensively in Europe, Africa and elsewhere with his Swiss-made 8mm cine camera, but his films around India between 1940 and 1945 are among the collection's highlights. Conciously or not, Jewell's Kashmiri trek saw him following in the footsteps of explorers such as the celebrated German botanist and anthropologist Alfred Meebold and the Liverpool-born Marco Pallis, who travelled to Ladakh around 1936 on his way to Tibet.
Related
Indian Procession Indian Procession
Non-Fiction 1902 3 mins Silent
Decorated elephants with howdahs, and troops on foot and horseback.
Delhi 1946 Delhi 1946
Amateur film 1946 15 mins Silent
8mm amateur film of India on the eve of Independence.
King George the Fifth's Durbar Held to Proclaim Him Emperor of India King George the Fifth's Durbar Held to Proclaim Him Emperor of India
Non-Fiction 1912 7 mins Silent
Patriotic dispatch from the grand celebrations to mark the start of George V's reign
Ruins of Delhi Ruins of Delhi
Interest film 1910 4 mins Silent
Attractive travelogue filmed in and around Delhi's Qutb complex.
Scenes of the Delhi Camp Scenes of the Delhi Camp
Non-Fiction 1911 3 mins Silent
A look at the 1911 Delhi Durbar - with a look back at its 1902 predecessor
Rajputana, Jhalawar, Bundi & Katakali Dancers Rajputana, Jhalawar, Bundi & Katakali Dancers
Amateur film 1940 11 mins Silent
A trip to the spectacular city of Bundi and a Kathakali dance performance, filmed in vivid colour by 'envoy of the Raj' Clarmont Skrine.
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.