Look Who it Was Random video

Land of the Elephants (1909)

3,782 views · Published 10 August 2017 · 6:13 · Indexed 25 October 2026

Channel: BFI · 2017 · Film & Animation

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Part of India on Film: 1899 – 1947
This collection of newly digitised films is part of the BFI's contribution to the UK-India Year of Culture 2017, in partnership with the British Council.  View more films on BFI Player http://player.bfi.org.uk/collections/india-on-film-1899-1947/  (UK only)


Edwardian filmgoers could enjoy a vicarious elephant ride in this eye-opening film. Not that this is any mere safari: these are, as the English-language title has it, hardworking elephants (the original Danish title translates as Land of the Elephants), seen here dragging heavy teak logs. We have little information on this film, and there's not much on screen to help us identify the location. Perhaps it was shot around Nilambur in Kerala, known for its teak forests? But teak travelled far and wide in India then, as it does now.

This Danish-produced film was well travelled itself - it's known to have been distributed in Germany, France and Italy as well as Britain, reflecting the international nature of the film industry even in its early days. 


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