A poetic interpretation of the life and customs of the people of Ceylon, showing the contrast between the culture of the Singalese of the island, and the western economic outlook. One of the most famous of the GPO Film Unit’s productions, this film helped to build the reputation of the British documentary film movement. ‘The Song of Ceylon’ is in four sections, 1. The Buddha, 2. The Virgin island, 3. The Voice of commerce, 4. The Apparel of God. Sponsored by the Ceylon Tea Propaganda Board. Music by Walter Leigh. Photographed by Basil Wright.
How to watch
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
322748
Language
English
Subject categories
Advertising, Film, Journalism, Mass Media & TV → Propaganda
Agriculture, Business, Commerce & Industry → Industries - Sri Lanka
Agriculture, Business, Commerce & Industry → Sri Lanka - Commerce
Agriculture, Business, Commerce & Industry → Tea
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Sri Lanka
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Sri Lanka - Social life and customs
Documentary
Documentary → Documentary films - Great Britain
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Buddhism
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Ethnology
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Propaganda
History → History
History → Propaganda
Places → Sri Lanka
Short films
Short films → Short films - Great Britain
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Black and White
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)
16mm film; Access Print (Section 1)
16mm film; Preservation Print (Section 5)