Reel 1, part 1, shot by Captain Schopp: Shot from behind several rows of crewmen of French battleship Richelieu on deck awaiting Mountbatten. Mountbatten arrives and chats with members of the crew. Mountbatten and senior ship’s officers tour the foredeck. Looking over a sea of white-hatted French sailors towards one of Richelieu’s quadruple turrets; Mountbatten steps up to address them. Closer shot (longer lens) of Mountbatten speaking and stepping down. Crowd of crew on deck. Crew dispersing.

Reel 1, part 2, shot by Lieutenant Norton: Mountbatten’s launch approaching the Richelieu. Mountbatten coming up gangway steps and saluting. Saluting, stepping aboard and inspecting a guard of honour. Meeting ship’s officers. Speaking to members of the crew. Mountbatten’s speech, filmed from the roof of the fore turret with tilt to French tricolour flying. Crowd. Mountbatten departing by launch. Guard of honour at salute. Buglers playing the Admiral’s call.

Reel 2: Mountbatten, speaking French, repeats his speech for the benefit of the camera; the camera is directly in front of him and the speech is repeated several times. He refers to his personal love of France, congratulates the crew on recent operations against Sabang and Surabaya, the importance of destroying the aggressor nations, and the French commitment to the Allied war effort despite the fall of France.

Two-reel unedited film showing the Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia, Lord Louis Mountbatten, visiting the French battleship Richelieu in port at Colombo, and addressing the ship’s company (recorded with sound).

Notes

Series note: The MWY series of films is believed to be part of a ‘pool’ of film received by the Government of India from various sources, including South East Asia Command, the Indian Inter-Service Public Relations Directorate, the Ministry of Information, and from Allied governments. This footage would have been considered for editing and release through the Indian Newsreel Parade; see INR series.