The Search for Shangri-la
Tibet on Film 1922-1950
The opportunity to visit a hidden world has always fascinated travellers and explorers. This selection of films from the BFI National Archive reveals extraordinary images taken in Tibet from 1922 -1950.
The first film was taken during the 1922 attempt to climb Mount Everest. Subsequently British political officers undertook diplomatic missions - one such visit witnessed the Installation of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama in Lhasa. Home movie cameras recorded these experiences, capturing ceremonial events, landscapes, flora and fauna. Collectively the films now provide unique and colourful evidence of these customs and traditions.
None of the original cameramen could have anticipated the devastating events that would overtake Tibet or predict the future for its religious leader. The images are poignant testimony and a vital record of that lost world.
For a taster of this programme view an extract of The Lost World of Tibet below…
Tibet
1928
Tibet
1934
Sir Basil Gould's Film Collection
1936 and 1940-41
Mr.Baker's Film
1941
Major Guthrie's Collection
c.1945
Major Sherriff's Films
c.1943
Tibetan Scenes
1945
The Lost World Of Tibet
c.1970
