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
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 - 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
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.