This film is part of Free
Peshawar, Kabul, Bamian, Herat, Meshed
1943 film of Peshawar, Kabul, Bamiyan, Herat and Mashhad; documenting a journey through the North West Frontier territories by British diplomat Clarmont Skrine during WWII.
Overview
This colour, silent 16mm film shows various commercial activities on the streets of Peshawar, Kabul and other towns, highlighting the importance of trade to the people living and travelling through the North West Frontier and Khyber Pass. Architecture and archaeological sites along this important trading route are also well documented, providing a snapshot of many locations since affected by war.
Made by Sir Clarmont Skrine, a British diplomat active in the 1940s this is an important record of sites of archaeological interest that have since been damaged or lost. The Buddhas of Bamiyan were 4th and 5th century monumental statues of the Buddha, carved directly from the cliff side of the Bamiyan valley. In March 2001 they were destroyed by the Taliban. Sights also include the Musalla complex and minarets at Herat which were commissioned in the 14th century AD/CE by Goharshad Begum, the wife of Shah Rukh, and one of the great women in the history of Afghanistan’s culture.
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.
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.