Country Life

Rural India seen through the idiosyncratic eyes of the Hunter family

Civil Engineer C.F. Hunter clearly seems to have enjoyed the filmmaking process. Most home movies simply outline events in the life of a family; the Hunters' films, shot on 9.5mm, also supply a vivid glimpse of the makers' personalities. This one starts at Haridwar (one of India’s holiest cities), where the Ganges first hits the plains after its descent through the Himalaya. The river is seen being put to less spiritual use via a bit of damming and a hydro-electric power station. Animal-powered irrigation schemes are recorded and the family encounter a herd of goats and some camels.