In the Land of the Head Hunters
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In Northern British Columbia and Southern Alaska, Motana, the son of Chief Kenada, competes with the sorcerer for the love of Naida. Waket, Naida's father, fearing the power of the sorcerer and his head-hunting warrior brother Yaklus, promises his daughter to the magician. In anger, Motana, Kenada, and their clan slay the sorcerer. Motana and Naida are married at a magnificent celebration. Seeking revenge, Yaklus slays travelers, clam diggers, fishermen, and Kenada. He also wounds Motana and abducts Naida. Restored to health by the medicine man, Motana rescues his wife. Yaklus and his party are drowned when their canoe overturns as they pursue Motana and Naida through a treacherous gorge.
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This film was reviewed under the title In the Days of the Head Hunters, at a length of six reels, in Motography on January 2, 1915. Some modern sources refer to the film as In the Land of the War Canoes. The scenario of the film was published as a short book in 1915. According to contemporary news items about the film, Curtis' research was conducted under the patronage of the late financier J. Pierpont Morgan. The film cost $75,000 to produce. Modern sources list Edmund August Schwinke as the cameraman.
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States 1914
Considered one of the first ethnographic films ever made.
Selected in 1999 for inclusion in the Library of Congress' National Film Registry.
reels 6
Released in United States 1914
