This film is a journey through history, where famed photographer Edward
S. Curtis explains Native American cultures in his own words, and
photographs. This motion picture reconstruction of his 1911-1912 magic
lantern slide show illuminates a time when Native Americans were forced
from their land and cultures. Curtis's documentation of Indian cultures
serve as a unique footprint in time.
The Indian Picture Opera
contains hundreds of photos and re-created music composed for the
original 1911 slide show. Its a throw back to a time nearly 100 years
ago, and a magical tour through history. This production is brought to
life with the use of computer graphics, and modern day animations. This
effort required the recreation of 19 original musical compositions
composed for the original Curtis slide show in 1911. The composer was
Henry Gilbert, and most of this music had been shelved for nearly 100
years.
Background:
In the early 1900's, famed photographer
Edward S. Curtis published the renowned 20-volume book subscription
entitled "The North American Indian". He compiled about 2400
photographs with detailed ethnological and language studies of tribes
of the American West.
This DVD reconstructs "The Indian Picture
Opera - A Vanishing Race", which was a slide show and lecture that
played in theaters from 1911 through 1912. Curtis used the show as a
pitch to sell his book subscriptions to the wealthy Americans.
Stereo-Opticon
projectors put Curtis's stunning images on screens in America's largest
cities.... one scene dissolving into another. A small orchestra played
music derived from Indian chants and rhythms, and Edward Curtis
lectured on the intimate stories of tribal life.
This Magic
Lantern show played to breathless audiences, stunned by the humanity,
fascinated by the imagery, and shamed by the destruction of Indian
cultures. The shows received standing ovations, and generous reviews.
This is a Widescreen, All-Region DVD, Dolby 2.0 amd 5.1 surround sound, and Subtitles in English, French and Spanish.
