Title:ENGINEERING SCENES ON THE BURMA ROAD AND OFF-DUTY SCENES OF A BRITISH ARMY OFFICER IN INDIA [Allocated Title]
Film Number:MGH 5156
Other titles:AMATEUR FILM BY MAJOR FRANCIS MURRAY [Alternative Title]
Summary:Amateur film without titles shot by Major Francis Murray of 657 Mechanical Equipment Company, Indian Engineers, records bulldozing and construction scenes on the start of the Burma Road (linking India to China), similar engineering work in Upper Burma, and off-duty scenes relaxing in Bombay, Kashmir and elsewhere in wartime India.
Description:Reel 1: (Can marking: Bombay Yacht Club, Willingdon, Ratnagiri, Susie Buchan) (Colour, US 1944 date mark) Murray by Indian beach. Served beer by waiter at sports club, around pool. English woman. Kabbadi wrestling. (US 1941 date mark) Close-ups of Naga villagers, women weaving. Fellow officer has head massage. On board boat crowded with Indian soldiers, weighing anchor in river.
Reel 2: (Can marking: Gulmarg, Lahore Games, Srinigar, Bombay) (Colour, US 1941 and 1943 date marks) Laden ox cart, village houses in Northern India. British military quarters with smart Indian servants and English flowers. Sunset. British officers wearing solar topees take part in Sports Day; Indian regimental band; prize-giving to Indian winners by English woman. Murray wearing dark glasses, and writing in tent. High-jump. Indian woman with baby begs for food. Tug of war, with Murray taking part. Murray served beer under tree. Pan over Lake Srinigar; colourful gardens, embarks on lake boat, buys flowers outside Visitors' Bureau, snow-covered peaks of Kashmir.
Reel 3: (Can marking: Kabaw, Saddle, Kalewa, Ganges, Pandw...) (Colour, US 1941 date mark) Bulldozer makes road; landscape dotted with small temples. Murray under tent with provisions. Locals observe bulldozer felling trees as it clears path for road construction (presumably through Kabaw Valley to Kalewa in Upper Burma preparatory to British advance in 1945). Close-ups of Naga tribesmen, including jewellery worn by men. Murray uses dynamite to clear way for road. Indian women and children washing in river and working in village. Indian turbaned troops. Train journey across girder bridge over wide river (Ganges?), past sign Debipur (?). Indians watch gymnastic yogi perform; British officer films with 16mm Kodascope camera. River traffic. Indian woman in yellow saree washes in river.
Reel 4: (Can marking: Burma, Lukchow, Calcutta) (B&W, US 1941 date mark) Bulldozers at work on Burma Road; jeeps in hilly area. Sign by river, Amingaon. Murray and fellow officer serve lunch. Dynamiting to clear road; tracking shot along newly constructed road, where Indian Army soldiers work.
Reel 5: (Can marking: Depot and Coy, Naga Village) (B&W, UK 1941 date mark) Murray playing golf (possibly at Ooty/Ootacamund hill station). Tea pickers deliver loads to tea centre. Snake charmer. British officers play football with Indians on beach. Indian turbaned soldiers line up to receive medical pill (anti-malaria?) which they swallow with water, then fall in and are dismissed.
Reel 6: (Unmarked reel) (Colour, US 1941 date mark) Bulldozers at work in tropical flat area of India, probably Assam. British officers pose for camera. Close-ups of Naga (?) villager faces.
Alternative Title:AMATEUR FILM BY MAJOR FRANCIS MURRAY [Alternative Title]
