In the Land of the War Canoes
by Edward S. Curtis
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Maggie FrankDirector: Edward S. Curtis
Brand: Image Entertainment
Cinematographer: Edmund August Schwinke
Writer: Edward S. Curtis
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled)
Format: Black & White, DVD, NTSC, Silent
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 47 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2000-08-15
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Image Entertainment
Movie Reviews of In the Land of the War Canoes
Movie Review: better than Nanook in every way
Summary: 5 Stars
If you like Nanook of the North, I recommend In the Land of the War Canoes. Unfortunately this is all that survives of the only motion picture made by the "super-photographer of the American Indian", Edward S. Curtis, "In the Land of the Headhunters". This film predates Nanook of the North, and it is known that Robert Flaherty visited Curtis to view this film, before he made Nanook. The film has been retitled for two reasons. A)the previous title is considered sensational and outdated (the kwakiutl had not practiced head hunting for many generations) and B)the film has been significantly altered, (in order for it to be presentable, after much of it was destroyed in a fire). The newer film is an erudite reconstruction that involved visiting the original tribe. There are no known complete prints surviving, so this is what we will have to settle for.
In the interest of being concise I'll skip to some great references made to reviewers of the oringal film, in the text of this book of photographs:
Edward S. Curtis in the Land of the War Canoes: A Pioneer Cinematographer in Pacific NW
W. Stephen Bush 1914 review: ..."It is said that Mr. Curtis is a profound student of Indian Lore. This is evident enouph from the photographs, but it does not at all explain his success with this subject on the screen. The cause of that must me sought in an extraordinary perception of artistic and dramatic values, in an uncommon skill of selection and in a sort of second sight with the camera."..."Mr. Curtis conceived this wonderful story as an epic. It fully deserves the name. Indeed, it seemed to me that there was a most striking resemblance all through the film between the musical epics of Richard Wagner and the theme and treatment of this Indian epic..."
and Vachel Lindsay in 1915: "This work of a lifetime, a supreme art achievment, shows the native as a figure in bronze. Mr Curtis' photoplay The Land of the Headhunters..., a romance of the Indians of the North-West, abounds in whole bronzes."
What is so fascinating about this film, aside from the subject matter, is how cinematic it is, and considering this in respect to this being the only film made by this photographer. He seems to have an absolutely inspired intuition for drama and the play between realism and form. It is unfortunate we will never see it as the author intended, but the process of viewing a "film artifact" is also very exciting. I know no better example of one.
If you have a strange fascination with men in animal costumes, as I do, then this is THE film for you. Their moves are INSANE. This film is equally recommended for cinephiles and Native American enthusiasts.
Summary of In the Land of the War Canoes
A drama of Kwakiutl life in the Northwest. Best known as one of the premiere photographers of the 20th century, Edward S. Curtis devoted his life to documenting the disappearing world of the American Indian. In this film, originally titled "In the Land of the Headhunters," Curtis retold a tribal story of love and revenge among the Kwakiutl Indians of Vancouver Island. Curtis spent three years with the Kwakiutl to meticulously recreate their way of life before the white man came. In addition to the magnificent painted war canoes of the title, the film features wonderful native costumes, dancing and rituals--including a powerful scene of a vision quest. Restored from the only surviving print in 1972 with a new score of original music and chants by the Kwakiutls themselves, "In the Land of the War Canoes" presents a magnificent image of a lost world.Similar DVD Movies
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