Ancient India (1952) User Reviews

Bundi, Jaipur, And Two Maharajahs

[boblipton · 5/10 · 7 April 2021]

James A. Fitzpatrick sends Hone Glendinning to run the Technicolor cameras to show us "ancient" Indian: nothing more than six centuries old. That may seem ancient to a modern American who dates everything to 1492. Given some reading in history and knowing that the Bara culture was flourishing by 2000 BCE, I am not terribly impressed by 18th Century palaces in poor repair.

There's nothing wrong if you and Fitzpatrick are in agreement, and the images in this one seem to have been shot with the travelogue series' usually competence. Unfortunately, the copy that plays on Turner Classic Movies is not in much better shape than the water-stained, 18th century palaces seem to be.

the India chapter of Fitz's travels

[ksf-2 · 6/10 · 22 September 2017]

The Voice of the Globe ... James Fitzpatrick narrates another travelogue. We start in Bundi, northwest India.... hillside white houses, but unfortunately the film quality is SO washed out, it's pretty hard to see details; could probably stand to be restored, but its only nine minutes, so may never happen. The palace is quite the residence, and the wild monkeys are cute, from a distance. Then to Jaipur, home of the astronomer, and the pink buildings. Fitzpatrick points out several times that they don't see many beggars here, but since they are always visiting the palaces, it's no surprise. I'm sure the beggars get shooshed away from the palaces, especially when there are visitors and movie cameras rolling. Interesting tidbit, but it probably would have been more interesting to see how the common people live, and what they do for work and for recreation. Starting in the EARLY 1900s (silents!) it looks like he wrapped things up in the mid 1950s, so this one would have come towards the end of his filming/travel career. Fun time-killer in between films, I guess.

The narrator of this "Travel Talk" mentions that some local official celebrating . . .

[oscaralbert · 7/10 · 11 March 2021]

. . . his 31st birthday has enjoyed "the benefit of an Occidental Education." But is this really such a blessing? By the time that this short was produced, it was Common Knowledge that Imperialist Japan's military top brass had enjoyed such a benefit. Having been trained on the nefarious details of the "Rebel Yell," Sam Houston's sneak attack siesta massacre, the wanton slaughter at Wounded Knee, Yellow Journalism's "Remember the Maine" war fabrication and several invasions to liberate bananas, the perfidious eastern Axis of Evil had the perfect template to rationalize its rapacious ravishment of China, bombing of Hawaii and Alaska invasion.

TravelTalks

[Michael_Elliott · 3 August 2009]

Ancient India (1952)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

TravelTalks entry takes us to India where we learn that not much has changed over the last few centuries. We start our trip in Bundi, a city founded in 1342 and hasn't changed much since then. We learn that there aren't any beggars there, they worship monkeys and women keep their faces covered even though they no longer are forced to. We then travel to Jaisalmer as we get to see their sacred cows and various forms of farming. If you know what you're getting in this series then there's no doubt this entry will keep you entertained. We get to see some pretty good visuals throughout the film as well as get to learn a decent amount of history. The print shown on Turner Classic Movies wasn't in the best of shape but the Technicolor came through well enough.

good India episode

[SnoopyStyle · 8/10 · 24 September 2022]

TravelTalks goes to the city of Bundi which still retains some feudal characteristics. There are few foreign visitors. It's not poor but it does feel like a place from the past. There are monkeys, lots of monkeys. "For some reason or another, monkeys play an important part in the religious life of India." Then they head off to Jaipur.

I love this episode. It's old India. Fitzy is as clueless as ever, but that comes off as funny. The old buildings don't change, but it's nice to see the people in another time. The buildings are still very cool. It's exotic. It's as good as TravelTalks is going to get.