1930’S KODAK CINEGRAPH NATURE DOCUMENTARY

Year Published: 1927

Creator: Kodak Cinegraph

Format: 16mm

Description: This silent Kodak Cinegraph educational / documentary film takes a brief look at the Golden Eagle. Kodak began selling Cinegraph films in 1927 for home and school use and renting them out on loan. Clearly, this as an early nature documentary and as such a rare piece of film history. The Golden Eagle resides in the northern hemisphere and is the most widely distributed species of eagles. Their coloring is dark brown with golden plumage on their wings. One of the birds to be shown is called William and the bird’s sister is pictured next to him (:34). Female eagles are traditionally larger than their male counterparts. Two baby chicks (1:17) are seen within the nest as the male and female eagle stand over the nest flapping their wings (2:01). William takes off from the nest for a fly about (2:17). The camera captures the eagle in the tree tops (2:37). A falconer is seen as a large eagle pecks at his legs and shoes (3:09). The puncture holes from the bird are zoomed in on (3:19). An eagle takes off and lands swiftly onto the falconer’s forearm (3:32). The man tosses a lure out to draw the eagle back in (4:03). Slow motion footage is provided of the bird swooping down for the bait (4:14). The eagle catches the lure midair (4:33) and lands on the man’s fist shortly afterwards (5:05). The camera is then angled in such a way so that the eagle is viewed flying directly towards it (5:45). In one attempt, the bird flies past the man’s arm without landing (6:24). The bird is captured walking over rocks with it’s wings extended (6:52) as a second eagle flies in next to it (6:59). An eagle picks at an animal carcass for nourishment (7:06). The film concludes with close up shots of the eagle’s head as it blinks it’s eyes (7:11).

Complete Record: This silent Kodak Cinegraph educational / documentary film takes a brief look at the Golden Eagle. Kodak began selling Cinegraph films in 1927 for home and school use and renting them out on loan. Clearly, this as an early nature documentary and as such a rare piece of film history. The Golden Eagle resides in the northern hemisphere and is the most widely distributed species of eagles. Their coloring is dark brown with golden plumage on their wings. One of the birds to be shown is called William and the bird’s sister is pictured next to him (:34). Female eagles are traditionally larger than their male counterparts. Two baby chicks (1:17) are seen within the nest as the male and female eagle stand over the nest flapping their wings (2:01). William takes off from the nest for a fly about (2:17). The camera captures the eagle in the tree tops (2:37). A falconer is seen as a large eagle pecks at his legs and shoes (3:09). The puncture holes from the bird are zoomed in on (3:19). An eagle takes off and lands swiftly onto the falconer’s forearm (3:32). The man tosses a lure out to draw the eagle back in (4:03). Slow motion footage is provided of the bird swooping down for the bait (4:14). The eagle catches the lure midair (4:33) and lands on the man’s fist shortly afterwards (5:05). The camera is then angled in such a way so that the eagle is viewed flying directly towards it (5:45). In one attempt, the bird flies past the man’s arm without landing (6:24). The bird is captured walking over rocks with it’s wings extended (6:52) as a second eagle flies in next to it (6:59). An eagle picks at an animal carcass for nourishment (7:06). The film concludes with close up shots of the eagle’s head as it blinks it’s eyes (7:11).