This film is part of Free
King George the Fifth's Durbar Held to Proclaim Him Emperor of India
Patriotic dispatch from the grand celebrations to mark the start of George V's reign
Overview
"This great function," gushes the opening title card of this patriotic news item, "exceeded all such events known in history" in its "importance and magnificence". The celebrations marking George V's crowning as King-Emperor were undeniably spectacular, and unlike his predecessor, Edward VII, who sent his brother in his place in 1902, the monarch deigned to attend the proceedings. The Warwick Film Company's cameras capture the scale of the event, giving us views of the arrival of the Viceroy and the King and Queen's carriage, followed by images of the rituals and tributes. It ends with more conventional travelogue-style images of Delhi streets.
Warwick was one of several companies to film the 1912 Durbar for the edification of audiences back home and across the Empire.
Related
Indian Procession Indian Procession
Non-Fiction 1902 3 mins Silent
Decorated elephants with howdahs, and troops on foot and horseback.
Delhi 1946 Delhi 1946
Amateur film 1946 15 mins Silent
8mm amateur film of India on the eve of Independence.
Ruins of Delhi Ruins of Delhi
Interest film 1910 4 mins Silent
Attractive travelogue filmed in and around Delhi's Qutb complex.
Scenes of the Delhi Camp Scenes of the Delhi Camp
Non-Fiction 1911 3 mins Silent
A look at the 1911 Delhi Durbar - with a look back at its 1902 predecessor
Rajputana, Jhalawar, Bundi & Katakali Dancers Rajputana, Jhalawar, Bundi & Katakali Dancers
Amateur film 1940 11 mins Silent
A trip to the spectacular city of Bundi and a Kathakali dance performance, filmed in vivid colour by 'envoy of the Raj' Clarmont Skrine.
New Delhi New Delhi
Amateur film 1928 18 mins Silent
The wonders of modern and family life as the Viceroy's private secretary
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.