INDIAN NEWS PARADE NO 63 (26/5/1944)

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: INR 63).

Synopsis

I. "INDIAN ENGINEERS HELPED BY ITALIAN PEASANTS IN REPAIRING NAZI DAMAGE" Indian engineers, clearing up "the mess that Mussolini's Second Roman Empire has left behind" are aided by Italian peasants. The Indians construct a bridge to take heavy traffic to "do service till the Italians have time and leisure to build one of their own".

II. "THEY CAN'T DO WITHOUT MULES" Mule trains led by Indian soldiers carry ammunition supplies to an anti-aircraft post tucked away in an Italian mountain range as "the enemy have spent considerable time and thought destroying every vestige of a road in the entire countryside". Commentary notes that with roads destroyed and mountain ranges all around, "the mule holds his own against tanks, jeeps and what you will".

III. "ANCIENT CUSTOMS SURVIVE. CHITRA FESTIVAL - MADURA" The Lord Shiva arrives in a car "fit for his celestial rank" at the Madura temple which rises the pool of the Golden Lotus. He is witness to a reenactment by devotees of how a God and Goddess arrived at their wedding, as depicted in the temple's sculptures. Scenes of worshippers dancing through the streets and the God Alagar riding on his golden horse through the city and down to the river.

IV. "AIR SUPREMACY COUNTS AT IMPHAL" Details the importance of the "great winged shield" in Imphal, Assam in carrying Allied equipment and men to remote cut off regions. Commentary notes the "Allies have learned the lesson of three dimensional warfare". Scenes of motorised vehicles and petrol being transported along with the flying ambulances of the Red Cross, although "Red cross markings and wounded men mean just another good target to Jap airmen".

Notes

Summary: film not viewed; synopses based on commentary sheets.

 

Titles

  • INDIAN NEWS PARADE NO 63 (26/5/1944)
Series Title:
INDIAN NEWS PARADE
 

Technical Data

Year:
1944
Running Time:
6 minutes
Film Gauge (Format):
35mm
Colour:
B&W
Sound:
Sound
Footage:
535 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
GB, India
Sponsor
Department of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India
cameraman (item II)
Thomas, F (Sergeant)
cameraman (item III)
Cooper, E R
cameraman (item IV)
P R Film Unit
cameraman (P R) (item I)
Ingram, G E (Captain)
editor
Moylan, William J (FRGS, FRSA)
producer
Moylan, William J (FRGS, FRSA)