Title:SOUTH AMERICA'S MESSAGE TO THE ALLIES [Main Title]
Film Number:IWM 456
Other titles:
Summary: The British mission to South America led by Sir Maurice de Bunsen, October 1918.
Description: I. (Reel 1) The mission visited Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador and Argentina. Accompanying Sir Maurice (with white beard) were Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Baxter, Mr Follett Holt, Mr T H Lyons, Mr Alan Kerr, Rear-Admiral James C Lay, Mr W S Barclay and Mr J Grant. The film is disjointed and it is not always clear which of the various countries they are in. II. The Uruguayan reception committee waits for the members of the mission at the Brazilian frontier. The mission arrives at Santa Anna de Libramiento, and is met by military and civilian officials. The mission arrives by train at Montevideo, being met by a Dr Delgado and escorted to the Parque Hotel. Later the mission goes to Government House to meet President Feliciano Vera. On the way, "in their enthusiasm for the cause of the Allies the crowd gave the British mission such a hearty welcome that it broke through the lines of the police". Next is Argentina, where the mission is received at Government House, Buenos Aires. (Reel 2) The light cruiser HMS Newcastle is in harbour at the time. Its captain, Commodore Aubrey C H Smith, comes ashore with Rear-Admiral Lay. A party of sailors from the Newcastle comes ashore and is entertained to a meal by the Argentine government. The mission is meanwhile involved in a tour of the city, including a visit to the "National Hippodrome" for a horse race meeting and numerous encounters with fashionable society. In Rosario the mission visits the Jockey Club and watches another race. A portrait shot of the mission. Finally, the mission inspects Buenos Aires harbour before leaving on the small tug SS Marie for HMS Newcastle.
Production Details: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Delgado (Doctor) (person)
De Bunsen, Maurice (person)
Baxter, Charles (person)
Holt, Follett (person)
Lyons, T H (person)
Kerr, Alan (person)
Lay, James C (person)
Barclay, W S (person)
Smith, Aubrey C H (person)
Vera, Feliciano (person)
Royal Navy, Newcastle (regiment/service)
Keywords: propaganda, British - inspirational (object name)
ships, British naval - cruiser: Newcastle (object name)
ships, Argentinian civilian - harbour: Marie (object name)
delegations, British international - goodwill (object name)
recreation, Argentinian civilian - sport: horse race (object name)
society, Argentinian - domestic (object name)
society, Argentinian - fashion (object name)
society, Argentinian - friendship (object name)
society, British - friendship (object name)
society, British naval - friendship (object name)
society, Uruguayan - friendship (object name)
Uruguay & Santa Anna de Libramiento (geography)
Uruguay & Montevideo (geography)
Buenos Aires, Argentina (geography)
Rosario, Argentina (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Silent
Soundtrack language: None
Title language: English
Subtitle language: English
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 2
Footage: 2531 ft; Running time: 42 mins
