BAGHDAD

This film is held by the BFI (ID: 18105).

Synopsis

INTEREST: Travelogue. Map (44); views of Baghdad from the river, with crowds crossing Maude Bridge, which is laid across floating boats (108); statue of General Maude (127); views of the river Tigris (150); a 'guffah' or tub-like boat on the water in the vicinity of water-buffalo (208); a 'kalak' or house-boat, supported by inflated skins, with a man and his household on board (266); King Feisal I, in medium close shot (273); Iraqi troops on parade, with British and Iraqi officers (310); mounted…

 

Context

At the time of its theatrical release in June 1928 as part of the third set of British Instructional Films’ Empire Series, Baghdad was already playing within non-theatrical circles. It had been shown at the launch of the Imperial Institute cinema in June 1927 and was listed in British Instructional’s catalogue of non-theatrical films for hire in 1928 (The Times, 29 June 1927, 14). In describing Baghdad, the catalogue stated that ‘the film shows life…

 

Analysis

In many respects Baghdad follows the conventions of other films within British Instructional Films’ Empire Series. It endorses a rhetoric of British progress and technological advancement, represented by modern transport (though not aeroplanes). A title explains that ‘Nowadays, motor lorries roar down the streets that Harun-al-Rashid once trod’, while in contrast we see ‘Transport of the old-fashioned kind – oxen, donkeys and camels’, highlighting…

 

Works Cited

Balfour-Paul, Glen, ‘Britain’s Informal Empire in the Middle East’, The Oxford History of the Twentieth Century, Vol. 4, eds. Judith Brown and Wm. Roger Louis (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999), 490-514.

Brendon, Piers, The Decline and Fall of the British Empire, 1781 – 1997 (London: Jonathan Cape, 2007).

British Instructional Films, Catalogue of Films for Non-Theatrical Exhibition (1928).

‘The Film…

 
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x

Titles

  • BAGHDAD
Series Title:
EMPIRE SERIES
 

Technical Data

Year:
1928
Colour:
Black/White
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
Great Britain
 

Countries

 

Production Organisations