“ANZAC CRUSADERS”"

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20311, 20 January 1928, Page 10

“ANZAC CRUSADERS”"

PRIVATE SHOW IN LONDON. (From Our Own Correspondent.) , LONDON, December 14. , ,y nz s, c Crusaders ” is the name given by the Embassy Film Company ta a colleo tion of pictures dealing with the Australian and New Zealand Forces during th 6 war period. At the present time the first section deals almost exclusively with Australia, but for this the producer (Mr A. C. T.nsdale) is not to be blamed. He is still doing ms bestto “balance the film, but : he finds it very difficult to obtain pictures dealing with the movements of the New Zealanders, t±is sub-titles are written for both countries, but the New Zeaaland “ shots,” in the first part of the film, are conspicuous by their absence.

A private presentation of the film, which tasted for an hour and a-half, was given at Australia House. So far it has not been properly sub-edited, but the substance is good. The pictures show the troops in Sydney enlisting, drilling in mufti, drilling later in full uniform, and marching out of camp and through the streets of Sydney. The artillery are also shown in process of development. Then there is the embarkation and the departure. Views of Constantinople, the objective of the Gallipoli campaign, are shown. There follow various snaps of incidents in London. The late Mr Massey is seen inspecting a guard of New Zealanders prior to his receiving the freedom of the City of London. New Zealanders are again seen leaving Victoria Station for the front. Then there are excellent pictures of the celebrations of the first Anzac Day after the Armistice,’ when troops from both dominions took part, and the King and Queen went to >.estminster Abbey. The first Armistice Day is also presented. The scene then shifts .to the Mediterranean. There are many excellent Gallipoli scenes in recent months. This undoubtedly is the most interesting part of the film. Amongst the pictures are Krithia, scenes around Anzac Beach, and the heights above, the River Clyde, V Beach, and its cemetery, the completed cemeteries all over the peninsula, including Chanuk Bair and the New Zealand memorial.

Finally, the film is concerned with the two pilgrimages arranged by the St. Barnabas organisation. One was to Gallipoli and the other this year to Palestine, when Sir James Parr represented New Zealand at the unveiling ceremony on the hill overlooking Palestine. If a few more New Zealand pictures can be procured to balance the first part, the film will justify its name. It is Mr Tinsdale’s intention to release it it Australia and New Zealand on Anzac Day of 1928.