Disclaimer: This historic film was produced during the apartheid era in South Africa. It contains propaganda elements that explicitly or tacitly endorse racism and racial separation. It is presented solely for historical purposes, to help document in part a period of terrible repression.
This film "Flight to the Sun" is presented by the South African Tourism organization known as Satour (:22) with music created and composed by Harry Rabinowitz (:32). It begins at the London Airport (:52) as a sign for ‘Customs Douans’ appears (:57) and the narrator boards a South African Airways flight. On board the plane -- probably a Douglas DC-7B,, the pilot is radioing air control as the picture turns to the air control tower (1:33) and the planes takes off. A picturesque shot of the Alps is captured (2:18) and the route will lead to Africa. At the Ciampino Airport (2:57) the narrator speaks of how each airport is the essence of the city in which it resides. Images of the Coliseum (3:50) and the Trinity Fountain (3:57) in Rome are also depicted. The stunning coast of Capri (4:14) is captured as the narrator boards again and heads further south. At this point they have travelled a total of 3,000 miles (4:33). The narrator traces over a map where the route will take them, over the Mediterranean Sea and the dry deserts of Africa. Stunning glaciers that lead up to the peaks of Mt Kenya fly below (4:48). Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak follows (5:02) as well as volcanic craters (5:06). They approach their destination Johannesburg (5:48). On the ground, he enters a building with the address 44 Main Street (7:10) and from here he heads for 300 miles from the metropolis is Kreuger National Park (7:14). Massive elephants trudge through the safari and a tall giraffe (7:48) is reaching for leaves. The narrator then meets a neighbor and the pair head to capture a shot of a lion (8:33). A cluster of hippos (8:48) roll in the water. A leopard saunters by their vehicle (9:02) as well as lions shortly after (9:15). A sharp contrast to the country, is in Duram and it is the largest event on the racing calendar (9:59) the July handicap. Along the Natal Coast, surfers can be seen riding the Indian Ocean’s waves (10:44). In Zulu, the annual parade begins (11:17). The winding modern roads to Swaziland are considered a major feat (11:35). Natives wash up along river rocks and prepare for the ceremonial Reed Dance (12:00). The young women collect and drop their contributions of reeds in a flurry (13:02) and dancing begins. The final adventure will be big game fishing (13:54) and it begins with a picturesque shot of the coastline (14:35). From the dock (14:42) they are headed for the South Atlantic Ocean (15:21). A fishing line is pulled taught and it is a tunny (17:03). All around porpoise leap in and out of the water (17:03). As his adventure and the film draw to a close, images such as the elephant, the lion and his catch are depicted (17:25).
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFilm.com