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the Mongols of Central Asia (1928)

1928 · Short film · 12 min

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Synopsis

This silent black and white film compiled by Harvard University’s Department of Anthropology and distributed by Pathé Exchange, Inc. shows early footage of Mongolians riding horses, wearing traditional hairstyles and clothing, and demonstrating the customs of their nomadic tribal lifestyles (TRT 12:41). Opening titles, “Passed by the National Board of Review” (0:14). Title card: “In the heart of Asia lie the upland steppes of Mongolia” (0:50). A simple map of Asia. An animated arrow draws a dotted line and indicates Mongolia. Another arrow shows the Eastern Gobi Desert steppe (0:54). “Since this was the original home of the horse, the people have long been fine horsemen” (1:18). Horsemen wrangle horses in a dusty field, diving and falling to the ground, shaking long whips, pulling stubborn animals with ropes, and wrestling them, grabbing at their manes. Horses are herded into a cluster (1:27). Title: “The Mongols catch their horses with loops attached to the ends of long poles.” The scene continues. More struggling horses are ensnared. One horse kicks its hind legs as a man raises his arms intimidatingly. Piles of firewood are stacked in the background (1:54). Title: “Mounted, they line up for a race.” A new scene shows a circle of men on horseback, riding slowly in careful precision. A closeup shows young men with shaved heads wearing loose-fitting robes, seated upon thin leather saddles. In a jump cut, the horses charge ahead, speeding into the desert scrub. The riders…

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Details

Running time
12 minutes
Collection
Ephemeral Films

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