This is one of those films that pretty much does what it says on the tin and nothing more. We see a troop of soldiers on horseback (essentially yet another parade - one of Edison Studio's favourite subjects back then) as they enter San Francisco with relief supplies following the earthquake that year. One of the soldiers is practically sat backwards on his horse as he surveys the scene around him - something that we the viewer are prevented from doing by the cameraman's determination to film nothing other than that which he has been told to film. Another soldier blows a kiss at the camera before throwing his head back to laugh a little maniacally at the sky. These two moments are the highlight of the film which, given the place and time in which it was filmed, is something of a shame.
3 Reviews
Earthquake & Fire!
MrCritical14 November 2003
This film highlights the role of the United States Army in transporting supplies following the 1906 earthquake and fire in San Francisco.
This short shows the army bringing in supplies on horses and mules. Victorian homes and a church can be seen in the distance. Pack trains such as this were the quickest and most efficient method of transporting large amounts of supplies through the hilly and rubble-filled streets west of the docks.
The film is done very well in very dusty conditions.
8* (10* Rating System)
This short shows the army bringing in supplies on horses and mules. Victorian homes and a church can be seen in the distance. Pack trains such as this were the quickest and most efficient method of transporting large amounts of supplies through the hilly and rubble-filled streets west of the docks.
The film is done very well in very dusty conditions.
8* (10* Rating System)
one part of a very full cine-reportage of San Francisco after the earthquake
kekseksa26 September 2018
This is one aof at least twelve films made almost certainly by Robert K. Bonine in June 1906 in the aftermath of the San Francisco Earthquale. The films together build into what for the time was a very substantial cine-reportage of about twenty-five minutes and we are lucky to still have several of the films. Most are panoramas and they give a very full view of the devastation suffered from the city from its China Town to is "millionaire residences". Bonine was most probably working alone and was certainly not "taking orders" from anybody. In this small part of the reportage, devoted to the arrival of the army supplies, he is not altogether surprisingly determined to film that subject and does the job very well..
All the films are of good quality - Bonine was a fine and experienced cinematographer - but for a description of this film, I would not know how o better the very full and interesting one provided by the Library of Congress:
"This film highlights the role of the United States Army in transporting supplies following the 1906 earthquake and fire in San Francisco. The Army's relief operations headquarters was at their base, the Presidio, outside the burned part of the city. The Army played a major role in relief and refugee operations. In the first weeks after the fire, food, water, tents, blankets, medical supplies, and hay for horses, were the principal needs. To pay for these supplies, Congress appropriated nearly $2.5 million in emergency aid for San Francisco. An estimated 300,000 people were camped out in late April, but the number had dropped to 25,000 by July, and emergency relief switched to long-term care in the substantial camps of "earthquake cottages." The following is a scene-by-scene description of the film: The first segment shows a series of loaded mule trains, guided by mules and horses. Many soldiers ride two-to-a-horse (or mule), possibly to facilitate quick unloading of supplies. Note the "Rough Rider"-style hats worn by many of the men. The dusty location is unclear; if the tower in the right distance is St. Boniface Church, the view could be west on Golden Gate Avenue from Van Ness Avenue. Note the young soldier approaching the camera,The second scene shows what are probably the same mule trains passing through an unburnt neighborhood. The row of Victorian homes, the distant slope, and the church on the hill suggest a possible view east on Geary Street from near Webster Street. If the location is correct, the supplies could be headed for the Hamilton Park refugee camp or for the Presidio supply center. Pack trains such as this were the quickest and most efficient method of transporting large amounts of supplies through the hilly and rubble-filled streets west of the docks."
All the films are of good quality - Bonine was a fine and experienced cinematographer - but for a description of this film, I would not know how o better the very full and interesting one provided by the Library of Congress:
"This film highlights the role of the United States Army in transporting supplies following the 1906 earthquake and fire in San Francisco. The Army's relief operations headquarters was at their base, the Presidio, outside the burned part of the city. The Army played a major role in relief and refugee operations. In the first weeks after the fire, food, water, tents, blankets, medical supplies, and hay for horses, were the principal needs. To pay for these supplies, Congress appropriated nearly $2.5 million in emergency aid for San Francisco. An estimated 300,000 people were camped out in late April, but the number had dropped to 25,000 by July, and emergency relief switched to long-term care in the substantial camps of "earthquake cottages." The following is a scene-by-scene description of the film: The first segment shows a series of loaded mule trains, guided by mules and horses. Many soldiers ride two-to-a-horse (or mule), possibly to facilitate quick unloading of supplies. Note the "Rough Rider"-style hats worn by many of the men. The dusty location is unclear; if the tower in the right distance is St. Boniface Church, the view could be west on Golden Gate Avenue from Van Ness Avenue. Note the young soldier approaching the camera,The second scene shows what are probably the same mule trains passing through an unburnt neighborhood. The row of Victorian homes, the distant slope, and the church on the hill suggest a possible view east on Geary Street from near Webster Street. If the location is correct, the supplies could be headed for the Hamilton Park refugee camp or for the Presidio supply center. Pack trains such as this were the quickest and most efficient method of transporting large amounts of supplies through the hilly and rubble-filled streets west of the docks."
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
