GREAT BEAUTY IN NEW ZEALAND FILM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17837, 4 May 1926, Page 5

GREAT BEAUTY IN NEW ZEALAND FILM.

LIBERTY SHOWING PICTORIAL GEM.

“ Know thyself ” were the succinct words of a Greek philosopher who lived centuries before the days of strikes and motion pictures, but his advice ,is as good to-day as when he wrote it in the far-ott times. It can be applied alike to individuals, dominions or nations. It is an undeniable fact that the New Zealander has but a slight knowledge of his own country. He has been in the Alps, the fiords, the thermal country, on the great bush-lands and rivers, but he has not the comprehensive knowledge that he should have. That point was made clear when this country was discussed in England with people who were anxious to learn about it. It came as a shock to know that the Dominion, its geographical position, industries, sport and general potentialities were so little known, but the greater shock was that those from Xew Zealand knew so little. Since the time of war the Government has set up a publicity department. and it must surely result in good. One of its first fruits takes the form of a motion picture which is being shown this week at the Liberty Theatre. Yes-

terday afternoon the theatre was crowded with a delighted attendance of school children, and last night again the big theatre was filled. There is no question that “ Glorious Xew Zealand,” as the picture is entitled. is a production of wonderful beauty, and there is no question, also, as to its comprehensiveness. There is great scope for the camera in this country, and the best has been made of it. It would appear that the man with the camera visited every possible part, “ shooting ” liberally, with the result that the collection of views is something worth while. The picture takes one from end to end of the Dominion ; every place of interest is shown; parts of the country where the Maori is living the peaceful life of his fathers before the advent of the pakeha. way up north. “ the land of lots of fish and lots of time ”; in fact, “ Glorious Xew Zealand ” is an epitome of New Zealand. If this picture were shown as another country, one might be pardoned for scouting the idea that such wonders and beauties existed. but as one knows that they actually are in our midst, the film should be patronised as befits a pictorial story of this land. Among the views shown are judiciously chosen pictures of the fiord country, including Milford Sound, the cold lakes, the Franz Josef Glacier and its surrounding Alpine country. Mount Cook, the Milford track (described as the best walk in the world for many years past) and Stewart Island. A trip is also made to the extreme south depend-

ency. Ross Island, where beauty lies in its coldness, and by wav of change the spectator is carried to the hot thermal district of Rotorua and on to the tropical islands which are tinder the jurisdiction of the New Zealand Government. The Xorth Island occupies a big portion of the picture, but every section is interesting and instructive. Rotorua and Wairakei, the two greatest attractions of Xew Zealand because of their weirdness and novelty, are fully dealt with, while the National Park at Tongariro is not neglected. The spectator is borne along the impressive Wanganui River, then over to the Taranaki province, where Egmont rears its serene head. Waitomo Caves, the sub-tropical land north of Auckland and the West Coast of the South Island are also brought to view, and interspersed are intimate views of the native bird life and flora. Small though it is. White Island, with its belching craters, comes under the camera’s eve, but it would be out of the question to enumerate all the points.

The photography is excellent. In the Alpine districts and the fiord country in particular there are some wonderful cloud and mist effects, and in the lake country the reflections of snow-capped mountains were marvels of beauty. During the screening of this very fine picture, Mr Tano Fama gives interesting stories of historical happenings and matters of scenic and general interest.

Preceding “ Glorious New Zealand ” are a comedy and a gazette, both very entertaining.

The musical programme selected by Mr Ernest Jamieson is appropriate to the big picture. “ Land of Hope and Glory ” strikes the right note, and was played with the proper martial and triumphant spirit. The overture was

“King Cotton” (Sousa), which was well treated, and another item admirably handled by the Liberty Orchestra was Alfred Hill’s “ Waiata Poi.” Other numbers played were “ Primrose ” (Gershwin). “La Boheme ” (Puccini), “ Dejanire ” (Saint-Saens), “ French Songs” (Langey), entr’acte, “Turkish Patrol” (Michaelis), fox trots, “Red Hot Henry Brown,” “ Sorry,” “ Teach Me ” and “ She Showed Him,” and “God Defend New Zealand.”