1930’s SILENT FILM “TRANSIT OF SUEZ CANAL” 55204 (1935)

Synopsis

This silent home film shows a ship’s transit through the Suez Canal. This is a man-made waterway in Egypt which connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea. It is considered the border between Africa and Asia and was built by the Suez Canal Company. The canal officially opened on November 17th, 1869. The film opens with footage of dolphins diving in and out of the water’s surface as they move along side a ship (:09). As ships move through the canal, residential modern homes are viewed (1:20) as well as more primitive shacks and tents (2:00). The town of Port Said (3:17) is captured along with the Suez Canal Authority building. A native swims through the waters of the canal (3:37) followed by footage of a large cruiser liner at port (3:48). Within the town’s streets, pedestrians walk under a sign for a store called Simon Artz (4:01). As the ship continues to move down the canal a sign for Amstel Beer is seen (4:15) as well as one for Nestles at (4:19). A floating dock is viewed nearby with small boats (4:37). Workers dig up the muddy earth (4:53) and carry materials in baskets over their heads (5:28). Cargo is seen being lifted from a ship to the port grounds (5:33). Sail boats and merchant ships move through the canal (6:34). Civilians are seen on a ship deck while tossing a ring back and forth (6:40). A small boat is lowered from the side of a ship (6:46). A tall structure rises behind a ship at (7:30) which may be the statue of Ferdinand de Lesseps. Passengers are…

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Details

Running time

12 minutes

Collection

Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

• Stock Footage