Arrival Of Canterbury Pilgrims To Be Shown On Screen.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18639, 17 December 1928, Page 11

Arrival Of Canterbury Pilgrims To Be Shown On Screen.

MR RUDALL HAYWARD PREPARING TO SHOOT HISTORIC SCENES—FROM FIRST FOUR SHIPS TO MODERN CHRISTCHURCH.

A FILM depicting the landing of “ the Canterbury Pilgrims ” by the First Four Ships is to engage the attention shortly of Mr Rudall Hayward, who is at present engaged in the making of a new film, “The Daughter of Christchurch.”

Mr Hayward hopes to enlist the assistance of the members of the Pilgrims Association and other local organisations which may be interested. The Government will be asked to develop and print the film, which, after being shown in New Zealand, could be exhibited by the Government agencies overseas, notably in Britain and America, where the Government has regular channels of release. As the First Four Ships are not now available (it is seventy-eight years since they brought their human freight to Canterbury) models would have to be used to show the arrival. The landing of the Pilgrims, however, could readily be depicted, suitable localities being available in Lyttelton and Akaroa har. bours. Some of the old original huts

are still standing, and these may* be worked into the picture as the background for some of the scenes. A touch of personal romance may be added to add the “heart” to the historical interest of the film. Mr Hayward says tfyat there are many incidents connected with the arrival that could be reproduced in the film. The tramp over the Bridle Path could be instanced. He does not anticipate any difficulty in regard to the costuming. Some of the dresses of the old days have been preserved, and these could serve as models for the production. He estimates that the film would measure about 2000 feet, taking about thirty or thirty-five minutes ‘to show. It could be concluded with some pictures of Christchurch as it is to-day.