Angkor

Filmed during the Morden Expedition to Africa and Asia, 1922-1924. Filmed during an expedition led by William James Morden to East Africa, Uganda, the Sudan, India, Burma, Kashmir, Tibet, Sikkim, Ceylon, Java, Sumatra, Indochina, the Temples of Angkor Wat, Japan, and China from 1922-1924. During this expedition, made before his affiliation with the AMNH, William James Morden visited the ruins of the ancient Cambodian city of Angkor, which were filmed by the expedition cameraman, Herford Tynes Cowling. The bas-reliefs on Angkor Wat are shown, including the gigantic images of Buddha on the center and corner towers, several friezes depicting Khmer life, tevadas (divine figures), a reclining Buddha, the seven-headed cobra demigod Vaga, and numerous other sculptures. Cambodian families are seen visiting the Wat and a lone elephant wanders among the ruins. In the final sequence, the boulevard of Angkor Wat is the setting for a series of classical Cambodian dances, including one based on scenes from the Ramayana.