As we've been talking about films, I decided to post a few stills of the ones I have. As I've mentioned before, these films are not mine and have been very kindly shared by a collector who bought copies (for quite a sum) from the British Library. He hasn't got the rights, so they cannot be published online.
The film which link JB has kindly shared a few posts back was the first one that I saw. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was so magical to see the elephants moving that I couldn't help it and watched them over and over again. With the years and the familiarzation with the Delhi Durbar 1903 material, I've noticed that that film has been edited in the wrong order, and inverted; meaning, for example, that the left column of elephants looks like the right one. But I believe that it's the film that covers more than any other of the films; it shows almost all the Main Procession, from the cavalry coming in front, Curzon's and Connaught's elephants, the Indian State ones, the Retinue columns (you can see the Baby Elephant and the Executioner, both from Rewa, there), the Baluch Chiefs and so on.
View attachment 216027
The Baby elephant from Rewa
One of the features that the films show, and the photos don't, is the actual movement of the elephants. They really shook the howdas and the riders. The maharaja of Alwar, who stood at his howda almost all the parade, had to hold himself firmly not to fall. The parasols moved like crazy; the servants had a hard time, standing and holding them to over the princes heads. The jingle bells on the elephants must have sound enthusiastically. Imagine being there!
Ana
