Beyond Bengal
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Harry Schenck
Harry Schenck
Joan Baldwin
Sir, His Highness, The Sultan Of Perak, F.m.s. Alang Askader Shah
Captain Lindsay Vears
Captain Nain Sei
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Filmmaker Harry Schenck leads an expedition into the remote jungles of the Malayan Penisula. Accompanied by British scientist Joan Baldwin, fourteen cameras, and an elephant convoy of native guides and servants, including a teen-aged couple, Ali and Bee, Schenck immediately encounters a host of wild creatures, such as white gibbons, bats, pythons and cobras. Later, during the "big drive," the Malayans beat the jungle brush to scare out more wild animals, including tigers, bears, leopards and a panther, while camouflaged cameramen film their movements and marksmen like Captain Nain Sei shoot down any would-be "man-eaters." As they move on, the group films a large wild elephant herd, spotting a rare white elephant bull and chasing the others for the camera's benefit. With the aid of telescopic lenses, they next track down the "unapproachable" seladang, a wild oxen that roams the densest part of the jungle terrain. In the midst of this activity, Miss Baldwin, who has been stricken with malaria, weakens and finally collapses. To save her, Schenck orders the convoy to return to "civilization" via the fast route, which takes them across the crocodile-infested Boya River. Many of the natives, including Ali, volunteer to clear the river of the crocodiles, risking their lives and limbs in the effort. Although they fail to drive the crocodiles out of the water, Schenck decides to cross anyway, and the troop forges ahead, successfully delivering Miss Baldwin to safety.
Director
Harry Schenck
Cast
Harry Schenck
Joan Baldwin
Sir, His Highness, The Sultan Of Perak, F.m.s. Alang Askader Shah
Captain Lindsay Vears
Captain Nain Sei
Tao Biin
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
In the opening credits, Schenck states that "the cooperation of Phra Abhaivongc, a hunter and sportsman, made this production possible," and that the film was "produced with the cooperation of His Highness, the Sultan of Perak, F.M.S." The Sultan, Sir Alang Askader Shah, appears briefly at the beginning of the documentary, allowing himself, according to the film's narration, to be photographed for the first time. Schenck dedicated the production to "his staff," the "Malayans and Siamese" who "fought" with him. According to reviews, the production took seven years to make. Although one comtemporary source claims that recording equipment was brought on the expedition, the film appears to have been shot as a silent, with voice-over narration and dubbed sound effects added later. Several reviewers doubted the authenticity of some of the scenes, speculating that much of the action appeared staged for the camera's benefit. One critic even made reference to the "actress" playing the part of the British scientist. It is unclear whether the "narration by" credit for John Martin refers to the writing or the speaking of the commentary. Trade review credits also include the following native participants: Bee, Miss Baldwin's maid; Badri, interpreter; and Ali, Mr. Schenck's servant.
