Six films of early exploration introduced from the Royal Geographical Society by the pioneer polar explorer Duncan Carse.
4: Red Indian Shadow-Catcher (1896-1930)
'The most spectacular ritual of the Hopi Indians is their Snake Dance, employing live rattlesnakes, and I became obsessed with the idea of participating.... I followed the dancer four times around the plaza, cast my snake aside, and received the next snake for a continuation of the dance....'
So the pioneer American photographer, anthropologist and explorer Edward Curtis describes one of the most dangerous incidents in his life-work of chronicling the vanishing customs and ways of life of the American Indian. This film is the spectacular story of that work.
Narrator Donald Sutherland
Film editor PAT O'GRADY
Producer RICHARD ROBINSON