This film is part of Free
Oxford University Cayman Islands Expedition
Gerald Thompson's record of the 1938 Oxford University Cayman Islands Expedition. The first natural history survey of all three islands (Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac) reports were written about the flora, fauna, geology and wetlands.
Overview
The silent film opens with celebrations to mark the arrival of HMS Orion at Georgetown on 8 August, on hurricane patrol in the Caribbean. On 10 August a hurricane hit Grand Cayman, causing much damage to the island and ships in the harbour. The film illustrates the flora and fauna of the islands, the vernacular architecture and camp-life for the expedition team.
The expedition was the result of an invitation by Cayman Islands Commissioner Allen Wolsey Cardinall (1934-1941) to make a biological survey of the islands. The expedition team included: W. Gemell Alexander, Leader and Organiser ; C. Bernard Lewis (Wadham College), Biologist ( and a Rhodes Scholar from the United States); Gerald Thompson (St. Edmund Hall), Biologist and film-maker; W. N. Paton (Magdalen College), Marine Biologist and Wilfred Kings of Lawrence Sheriff School, Rugby, Botanist. The completion of their work in identifying specimens and publishing their results was delayed by of the outbreak of World War II in 1939.
Related
Climbing Mount Everest Climbing Mount Everest
Non-Fiction 1933 32 mins Silent
A fascinating glimpse into life at high altitude for the party of the Mount Everest Expedition 1933 which intended, but ultimately failed to summit Everest.
East Nepal East Nepal
1961 72 mins Silent
Film taken by Tom Spring Smyth during the British Museum (Natural History) Expedition to East Nepal 1961-1962.
Amazon; Dr Hamilton Rice Amazon; Dr Hamilton Rice
1926 91 mins Silent
Take a journey with Dr Hamilton Rice as he embarks on his final expedition of the easterly tributaries of the Amazonian basin.
The Conquest of Everest The Conquest of Everest
Documentary 1953 78 mins
Colour film (narrated by Meredith Edwards) telling the story of the ‘Mount Everest Expedition 1953’, which saw the first successful ascent of the mountain.
Scenes from Around the World Scenes from Around the World
Amateur film 1947 9 mins Silent
Short colour, silent, compilation of unedited film footage giving a snapshot of life in various countries in the year 1947.
Nine Countries in Ninety Minutes Nine Countries in Ninety Minutes
Travelogue 1937 63 mins Silent
Amateur film travelogue of a journey around various parts of the world in 1937, by Frances Hotham F.R.G.S, A.R.P.S.
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.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.