CEYLON - THE NEW DOMINION
This film is held by the BFI (ID: 10255).
Synopsis
INTEREST.
RL.1 Opening shots of an arch in Colombo and Ceylonese people. After the achievement of full independence, the opening of the new Parliament by the Duke of Gloucester is shown. A brief historical resume of the country is given whilst ruin of former towns, palaces and temples are shown. British policy and achievements in Ceylon are then explained. Ceylonese children are shown going to school. University education is given. Health services progress. At Polonnaruwa, an agricultural station is set up. A volunteer corp produces trained farmers. During the monsoon, fields and villages are flooded, so reservoirs are built and the land is irrigated. Shots of peasants working in the paddy-fields. Often primitive methods are still used - Shots of sowing by hand. Tea is a major export - Shots of chests being loaded onto a ship (880 ft).
RL.2 Elephants are used for loading tree-trunks as are cranes. Shots of tea- pickers in the fields and of rubber trees being cut. Ceylon also produces coconut oil and fibres which are twisted into ropes. Germs are dug from the ground and polished. Shots of Colombo's port. The different religions - Buddhism, Hinduism, Moslem and Christianity, are emphasised. Temples and religious festivals are shown. In 1947, a general election is held. Repre- sentatives of the different parties, including Mr. Bandaranaike. Shots of women voting at the polling stations. Mr. Bandaranaike wins the election and forms his cabinet. The problems which the government has to face are outlined:- housing conditions, cultivation of arid soil, food rationing, hospital services, citizenship of Indians working in Ceylon. Finally, comments on Ceylon's relationship with Britain (1792 ft).
Titles
- CEYLON - THE NEW DOMINION
- Series Title:
- THIS MODERN AGE
Technical Data
- Year:
- 1948
- Running Time:
- 20 minutes
- Film Gauge (Format):
- 35mm Film
- Colour:
- Black/White
- Sound:
- Sound
- Footage:
- 1804 ft
Production Credits
- Production Countries:
- Great Britain
- Production Company
- This Modern Age Ltd.