This film is part of Free

Title of error

Darjeeling - Sir Stanley Jackson

Home movie hinting at the opulence of life for some British officials in India

Amateur film 1937 10 mins Silent

Overview

This amateur film gives us a fair idea of the opulent life enjoyed by members of the British government in India. It shows the arrival of Sir Stanley Jackson, former Governor of Bengal, and Lady Jackson to Government House in Darjeeling, the 'summer seat of the Bengal government'. Shots of the church, town hall and a building with 'God Save the King' emblazoned upon on it show just how anglicised some parts of India had become. Look out, too, for Darjeeling's famous 'toy train'.

William Meiklejohn was an enthusiastic amateur filmmaker, recording his work and travels in India. He joined the Indian Forest Service in 1910, and spent most of his working life with the IFS in the North-West Frontier Province, United Provinces, Bengal and Assam.

Genres

Amateur film and Travelogue

Country

United Kingdom

Language

No Dialogue with English subtitles

Subjects

Watch for free

Boat Repairs - Sunderbans Boat Repairs - Sunderbans

Amateur film 1935 11 mins Silent

Stunning colour footage showing colonial life in the hills of Assam and bustling activity on the lakes below

Watch for free

Devil Dancers of Sikkim Devil Dancers of Sikkim

Travelogue 1934 9 mins

Hear the Lama band, see the sacred dances: welcome to Sikkim, in the shadow of the Himalayas.

Watch for free

Sir John Laing Missionary Films Calcutta, Darjeeling & Bihar Sir John Laing Missionary Films Calcutta, Darjeeling & Bihar

Amateur film 1947 12 mins Silent

Rare amateur footage of East India

Watch for free

Darjeeling: A Foothill Town Darjeeling: A Foothill Town

Travelogue 1934 10 mins

Evocative travelogue exploring life at the foot of the Himalayas, including tea gardens and a Buddhist shrine

Watch for free

Panorama of Calcutta, India, From the River Ganges. Panorama of Calcutta, India, From the River Ganges.

Non-Fiction 1899 2 mins Silent

One of the earliest films to be shot in India apparently shows the Calcutta ghats - or does it?

Watch for free

Scenes at his Excellency the Viceroys's Garden Party at Belvedere Scenes at his Excellency the Viceroys's Garden Party at Belvedere

Non-Fiction 1926 6 mins Silent

Indian high society enjoy themselves at a Calcutta garden party held to welcome the new Viceroy, Lord Irwin.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.

Watch for free

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.