The Trail-Blazers
Six films of early exploration introduced from the Royal
Geographical Society by the pioneer polar explorer Duncan Carse.
To India by Land-Yacht (1939) 'Travelling eastward across the Syrian desert we paused at the great trading centre of Baghdad ... Much later, twisting through the rocky gorges of Afghanistan, we crossed the Khyber to the spices and gold of India.'
So an American millionaire,
Larry Thaw , summarised the itinerary of one of the most opulent holiday jaunts. His transport was an enormous motor caravan, complete with a shower bath, refrigerator, and a retinue of six Indian servants - the whole outfit he called his 'land-yacht'. He also took along a professional cameraman to shoot his 'holiday snaps' on early colour film, and then added his own period sound track. The final result is both a time-capsule of 30s images and attitudes, and a vivid record of trail-blazing at its most luxurious and colourful. Original narrator Norman Wilson
Film editor DAVID LEE
Producer RICHARD ROBINSON