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Somewhere in India
We know that these films were shot in India, but where? Can you help us to identify the locations?
Calling all India experts! Here are the films for which we have no locations. Some will be impossible to identify. For others, you might have the knowledge to help us. If you recognise any of the locations in these films – or, indeed, have information about any of the other films in the collection - we'd love to hear from you. Please tweet @BFI using #IndiaOnFilm.
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
Non-Fiction 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 India
Amateur film 1929 14 mins Silent
Amateur film of the passage to India - complete with guest appearance by Gandhi
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
Bridge Construction Bridge Construction
1929 1 mins Silent
Pith helmets at play – but where, when and why?
Cowley Fathers' Mission in India Cowley Fathers' Mission in India
Documentary 1937 16 mins Silent
Life in Maharashtra, as seen through missionary eyes.
Gardens of the Orient Gardens of the Orient
Interest film 1936 10 mins
The gardens here are tea gardens, and the 'Orient' is India and Sri Lanka.
Elephants: Working and Training Elephants: Working and Training
Amateur film 1935 13 mins Silent
Amateur film of elephants at work and being trained during the British Raj.
An Indian Washing the Baby An Indian Washing the Baby
Non-Fiction 1906 2 mins Silent
A film on a charming, 'unofficial' subject - authentic ethnographic record or exotica for western eyes?
Indian Elephants and their Handlers Indian Elephants and their Handlers
Interest film 1909 2 mins Silent
Indian elephants bathing and working
Musical Instruments of India Musical Instruments of India
Documentary 1944 12 mins
The tabla, sanai, baya and the micro-tone tuning of the sitar are presented and performed.
A Road in India A Road in India
Travelogue 1938 9 mins
A portrait of 'the enigmatic and disturbing East' - elevated by Jack Cardiff's Technicolor cinematography
Animals Animals
Documentary 1950 11 mins Silent
Amateur film footage showing wildlife in Iran, Pakistan and India taken in 1950 by Sir Clarmont Skrine.
Flying to India by Imperial Airways Flying to India by Imperial Airways
Amateur film 1934 11 mins Silent
British Diplomat Clarmont Skrine records footage of an early long-haul flight from Europe to India, documenting their stop-offs in British territories en-route to their destination.
Honey Harvest in India Honey Harvest in India
Non-Fiction 1936 9 mins Silent
Death-defying antics on behalf of the sweet-toothed, in a home movie shot by hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett
Dangerous Journey Dangerous Journey
Documentary 1944 73 mins Silent
Expeditions to parts of North and South America, India and Burma (Myanmar).