Other titles:AMATEUR FILM BY MAJOR KNYVETT [Alternative Title]
Summary: Amateur film with titles shot by Major Knyvett of 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment in Egypt and Palestine.
Description: Intertitle: ‘The Graff [Graf] Zeppelin’ -Shots of zeppelin in sky, seen from amongst civilian houses. Numerous shots of zeppelin passing overhead, viewed from several angles.
Intertitle: ‘The Parade for The King’s Birthday, Alexandria 1932’
Shot of approaching marching band; soldiers (with backs to camera) are seen lined up, before they are seen marching on parade in urban street. Very brief shot of mother with children and others in civilian dress sitting on row of chairs, many holding sun parasols; mounted soldier stands before them (this scene and those that follow take place in an open area, possibly barracks parade ground?). Soldiers marching past furled flags. Drive past of armoured cars. Further shots of soldiers and military band marching past the row of seated civilians seen in previous shot. Rows of troops seen lifting their helmets, possibly giving ‘three cheers’, led by officer.
Officers seen standing by track in country area as several runners pass by (fitness training?). Arab peasants walk alongside track, one carrying heavy load. Scenes of military personnel horse-riding: jump practice. Still scene of wide, open gate that gives onto roadway in barren looking area, capturing traffic of various kinds as it passes the camera – donkeys and camels with drivers Arab pedestrians, large truck, mounted military personnel, two groups of European women with hair uncovered (Jewish settlers?). Brief scene of European man having his hair lathered.
Intertitle: ‘Police and Bedouin Sports, Jericho’
Large crowd of spectators watch Bedouin horse race; milling crowd of Bedouin men and horses, cars visible in background. (Two military/police officials seen in the background with their backs to the camera near start of shot may be of the Transjordan Frontier Force). Footrace, apparently judged by police officers (Transjordan Frontier Force?). Large crowd of Bedouin spectators. Tug-of-War. Spectators here mostly officers of the Palestine Police; Transjordan Frontier Force officer (?) encourages the participants. Polo. Sack Race. Masquerade in which various masked figures use sticks to assault a figure apparently portraying a ‘wolf’. Flour-blowing competition. Fancy-dress hi-jinks with wrestling (possibly during game of football or rugby?): participants dressed as policeman in drag, top-hat and coat-tails, sailor, etc. A winner is raised aloft, shaking a bell. Blurred shot of two men waltzing in fancy dress.
Alternative Title:AMATEUR FILM BY MAJOR KNYVETT [Alternative Title]
