This film is part of Free

Burma

Gorgeous colour film of Burma / Myanmar from 1960. Places shown include Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Bhamo. Plus views of the Irrawaddy River.

1960 22 mins Silent

Overview

Gorgeous colour film of Burma / Myanmar from 1960 showing major cities, towns and landmarks of the country. Places shown include Rangoon (now Yangon) - the port (shipping) and Shwe Dagon Pagoda (architecture, monks and worshippers). Pagan (now Bagan) – the ancient pagodas, including the Ananda. The former royal city of Mandalay and its palace. Amarapura - local industry including silk weaving and Bhamo – daily life, views, architecture.

This film captures the country’s rich architecture. Structures shown include the ’Shwedagon Paya’ - the most sacred of all Buddhist sites for the people of Burma / Myanmar. The great golden dome is visible from almost anywhere in the city of Yangon. The pagodas of the ancient city of Bagan, including the ‘Ananda Temple’ with its tower-like spire, which was built in 1105 AD during the reign of King Kyanzittha. The ‘Mandalay Palace’ - the last royal palace of the Burmese monarchy. It was constructed between 1857-9 as part of King Mindon's founding of the new royal capital city.

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