British Pathe

Reel 1. British Instructional Films presentation. Map of Europe and Africa showing the location of the the Mediterranean Sea. Camera zooms in to show the location of Palestine - voiceover states that this is the country where Jesus Christ lived. "A journey down the valley of the River Jordan may help...

Reel 1. British Instructional Films presentation. Map of Europe and Africa showing the location of the the Mediterranean Sea. Camera zooms in to show the location of Palestine - voiceover states that this is the country where Jesus Christ lived. "A journey down the valley of the River Jordan may help us to understand more clearly some of the things Christ said and did." Location of Mount Hermon, Lake Hula, Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Tiberias and the Springs of Dan are indicated on the map. Journey starts at the foot of Mount Herman. Landscapes with the snow capped mountain in the background. Panning shot of the river with foliage on the riverbank.

The Springs of Dan are shown. The Hebrew tribe of Dan are mentioned. The river runs south, another landscape view - "almost English in appearance." A shepherd and his flock are seen in M/S, he approaches the camera. A "modern" road bridge crosses the river, a man rides a horse over the bridge and a herd of cattle wade out into the water to drink. C/U of two herdsmen sitting on the riverbank. They look out at the river with their backs to the camera. Farmer tills the field with an ox and ass pulling a primative plough - L/S. Closer view of two men walking with the beasts as they work the land. Narrator states: "Christ used such scenes in teaching simple folk, shepherds, herdsmen, farmers. Jesus knew their daily problems."

L/S of a semi-barren landscape. L/S of the shallow Lake Hula. A large herd of cattle are seen in the foreground. High angle of a herd of sheep. Women walk along carrying urns on their heads and backs. L/S of landscape with reed huts in foreground. Camera tilts up to the sky. Man with a long pole propells himself across a lake on a primitive raft. L/S of a group of Palestinians sitting on the ground outside their huts making bundles of reeds. The reeds are dried in the sun then split by the head of the household. C/U of a man in white headscarf splitting the reeds. Children sit beside him and help. Women weave the split reeds into matting with using a primitive loom. C/U of the woman working at the loom with the sun shining through. Man seen earlier on raft unrolls a piece of matting to show the camera. He lays it on the ground. "When Christ said to the sick man 'arise and take up thy bed' he referred to such a mat." South end of Lake Hula. Jordan flows to the Sea of Galilee. L/S landscape of fields and hills. Man rides a horse in the distance. L/S of a more modern plough than seen earlier.

Two mules pull a cart laden with hay bales, a man sits on the hay guiding the mules - M/S. High angle panning shot of north end of Sea of Galilee - "where Christ began his ministry." Mount of Beatitudes (?) "where Christ preached his great Sermon on the Mount." Capernaum - lake scene and ruined synagogue. Various shots of the ruins - especially carved column tops and a five pointed Star of David - symbol of the Jewish religion. Shots of the lake - small sailing boat,waves breaking on the shore, panning shot of the lake. C/Us of fishermen carefully folding their "throw-nets." We then see the two men standing in the lake and throwing their nets. "Often these men toil for hours without making a single catch. We see the two men at their work. M/S of fisherman taking fish from net and placing it in a net bag which hangs on his back. Shepherds and their flocks - various shots. Tiberias - high angle shot of the landscape. High shot of the town. Herod is mentioned and Tiberias Caesar. Roman aqueduct remains are seen. High angle shot of the Mosque and surrounding buildings. Marketplace, people walking in a primitive street. Woman carries something on her head. Busy market with various things being sold. Continued