This black and white silent film is believed to have been filmed by the Reverend John Raine who served with the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF) during World War Two. It documents activities and scenes in the area of Bari which became the staging base for New Zealand soldiers in Italy. There are also scenes from Egypt and Christchurch, New Zealand.
The New Zealand content documents scenes around Christchurch, Canterbury, Nelson, Blenheim and Kawhia including historic buildings, railway stations and a rooftop playground.
General Views: New Zealand soldiers milling timber at lakeside camp - many felled trees at edge of lake.
Herd of cattle walking on dusty road - Dust hangs in air.
General Views: Huts and felled trees in lakeside camp.
General Views: New Zealand soldiers (some in lemon squeezer hats) relaxing at camp and queuing for mugs of tea.
Pan Across: Italian hilltop town atop rugged bluff - Bell tower and domed church visible against skyline.
Sign: “3NZGH” [3rd New Zealand General Hospital].
General Views: Nurses and others walking outside Bari Polyclinic buildings (these buildings were occupied by 3rd New Zealand General Hospital).
General Views: Men walking into building below Sign: “Church of Scotland Canteen & Club”.
Sign: “Garrison Church of St Luke” listing Sunday and weekend services.
General Views: Large buildings of Bari Polyclinic.
General Views: Men seated on benches in front of stage outside Bari Polyclinic.
Double Exposure:
Men standing talking on balcony overlooking beach and coastline.
General Views: New Zealand soldiers standing on road.
Men seated on cart drawn by oxen.
Italians standing outside rural house.
General Views: Italians in field harvesting crops - haystacks, oxen, carts.
General Views: Soldiers marching behind pipe band.
Double Exposure:
Tracking Shot: Camels standing and sitting near wooden huts.
General Views: Egyptians standing on [Cairo] streets, crowded trams pass along street.
General Views: Egyptians walking on [Cairo] streets [souk, Khan el-Khalili]
General Views: Egyptian children standing near rail line and scrambling after items thrown from train.
General Views: New Zealand soldiers aboard ship - playing cards, examining maps.
High Shot: Overlooking men in barge alongside ship - Men are sorting and lifting sacks.
New Zealand soldiers standing wearing life preservers - lifeboat drill.
General Views: New Zealand soldiers standing at ships railing looking towards city - dhow sails on water in foreground.
General Views: Crowds gathered near amusement rides and besides race course [Canterbury A&P Show].
General Views: Cows standing in muddy field and being herded into milking shed.
Boy standing holding lead of dog while puppies feed.
Boy and girl seated in garden patting cats.
Close Up: Boy smiling at camera.
Cat watching roosters and chickens drinking milk from saucer in garden
General Views: School girls playing cricket on sports field.
Married couple walking from church and confetti being thrown over bride.
General Views: Bride in wedding dress standing in garden with bridesmaids and family.
Bride and Groom standing in garden posing for camera - Man wears military uniform.
General Views - Close Up: Two young girls seated at table eating.
General Views: Children standing outside house - adults brushing their hair.
Close Up: Group of children standing smiling at camera.
General Views - High Shot: Overlooking houses and trees in suburb.
General Views: Family walking to car parked on roadside and driving away.
High Shot: Overlooking Nelson from outskirts.
People seated on bench at base of flight of stairs leading up to Nelson Cathedral.
High Shot: Overlooking Trafalgar street in Nelson from Christ Church Cathedral.
People walking outside Nelson Cathedral.
Woman standing near signs indicating distances to Murchison, Nelson Blenheim, Reefton, Maruia Springs and Lewis Pass.
People standing near small buses with Sign: “Newman Bro’s Ltd”.
General Views: Men playing cricket.
Elderly women standing outside door of brick built house.
Sign: “Lumsden, Te Anau, Manpouri, Milford Sound, Kingston & Queenstown” [on bus station / railway station].
General Views: Woman and young boy walking at Sumner beach, Christchurch.
General Views: Family enjoying picnic in dunes, man wears military uniform.
Children swinging on swings at Sumner beach.
High Shot Pan Across: Overlooking suburb of Cashmere with Canterbury plains stretching to horizon.
Sign: “Cashmere Stores Ltd” on awning of shop.
High Shot: Man and dog walking up steep road with Christchurch city in background.
Path besides Avon river, person laying on riverbank.
Large masonry building [Canterbury Provincial Government Buildings].
General Views: Women sitting besides Avon river knitting and embroidering.
Boy on bicycle and small truck on Christchurch streets.
Men walking outside large building with Sign “The Christchurch Gas Company” on awning.
People and traffic on Worcester street - Christchurch Cathedral in background, Sign for Clarendon Hotel on awning.
General Views: People relaxing on banks of Avon River.
Cars driving near Bridge of Remembrance.
Sign: “Blenheim” on Blenheim railway station.
General Views: Black swan paddling in river.
General Views: Family standing in garden as young girls put food inside [rabbit] hutch.
General Views: Family group standing talking besides house - Black cat being manhandled.
Children standing in rooftop playground and riding in pedal cars [Farmers Department store / Hays Department Store].
Women standing talking with young man - holds up mirror so young man can comb his hair.
Children standing in rooftop playground and riding in pedal cars [Farmers Department store / Hays Department Store].
Family posing for camera.
Sign: “Kawhia Book Shop” on awning of store.
Pan Across: Stores and houses on Kawhia street.
HS Overlooking Kawhia township and Kawhia harbour.
Group of women posing for camera besides car parked on grassy verge.
Sign: road signs “Kawhia”, “Oparau”, “Pirongia”.
Farmhouse amongst trees.
High Shot: Overlooking rolling paddocks and hills.
Car parked on road with ferns and gorse in foreground.
Boys riding bicycle outside house.