Short Documentary Movies

1901, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith

Tuesdays are days of great excitement in the quiet old town of Berne, when the whole population is bent on getting very much for very little.

The ranger's activity mainly centered on mapping the national forests, creating safe trails, giving out cattle and sheep permits, and protecting the...

"Taken from the Swiss side of the St. Bernard Pass, 9,000 feet above the level of the sea, giving a magnificent view of the far-famed Hospice, which...

1901, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith

1904, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith.

A film being photographed from the front of the engine. A grand view of the snow-clad peaks of this fine range of mountains is depicted from an...

Travelogue released on the 5th of June, 1916. Produced by Burton Holmes.

A documentary illustrating the mountain sports activities of the university students of the GUF (Gruppi universitari fascisti) in Val Gardena,...

Released on the 8th of May, 1916. Produced by Burton Holmes.

Distributed under the title of ‘Switzerland’ or ‘Playground of Europe’, the film consists of a collection of scenes filmed in...

Documentary on mountain climbing in the Swiss and Italian Alps.

Released on April 1st, 1918. Produced by Burton Holmes.

1905, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith.

Released on October 20th, 1918. Directed & produced by Burton Holmes.

Swiss documentary on the ascent of the Eiger by the Mitellegi ridge. After spending the night in the hut located 625 meters below the summit, two...

Scenes from a series filmed for Charles Urban by mountain expert Frank Ormiston-Smith, including The Battle of the Snow, Ski Jumping in the Alps, and...

An alternative version of the film 'Southern Peaks', shortened in this case to be included in an episode of the series 'Glimpses of New Zealand'....

For his third picture in his series, Mr. Holmes takes his audience on a visit to our National Military Academy at West Point, there to study the...

In spring, the Swiss herdsman collects his cattle and drives the herds up the mountains to higher pasture. Here is shown a quiet valley, with...