“MAN FROM A MISSING LAND” 1950-51 CHINESE INVASION OF TIBET DALI LAMA DOCUMENTARY FILM XD47744

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Produced by the U.S. Information Agency, "Man from a Missing Land" portrays the Chinese take‐over of Tibet and the 1959 Tibetan Uprising in Lhasa, culminating in the flight of the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, to asylum in India. The film was produced and directed by Paul Cohen, edited by Eric Lawrence, narrated by Fritz Weaver, and made by Owen Murphy Productions. The USIA produced the film to be shown overseas as part of the USIA mandate to demonstrate the threat communism presents to freedom. Ironically, the movie was initially suppressed by the U.S. Government, as Secretary of State William P. Rogers lobbied Henry A. Kissinger, President Nixon's assistant for national security affairs, against its release. The fear was that the film would derail Nixon's planned trip to China in February, 1971. It was eventually released, although the dates are not clear but sometime after 1973. Notably, portions of the film were shot in Switzerland, where over 700 Tibetans were granted asylum.
The film opens with a scene of Buddhist monks traversing snowy hills in order to conduct a ritual (:58). Traditional Buddhist artwork covers the walls (1:36) within a temple. Natives from Tibet are seen as the film announces Tibet is a nation in exile (2:19). They are gathering here as they do once each year in order to honor the events of the 1959 Tibetan uprising in Lhasa (2:42). A Tibetan man dances in traditional ceremonial attire (3:08). The walled cities are seen hidden deep within the Himalayas (3:23). Combat scenes follow from October of 1950 as Peking chose to invade Tibet (4:20). The Tibetan militia surrenders to the well-armed Chinese army (4:35). Chinese tanks move in as Tibet became an occupied land (4:40). Phalah (6:17) was the Senior Chamberlain to the Dali Lama when Tibet was freed in May of 1951. A very young Dali Lama is pictured during the time period with which Tibet was invaded (6:23). The Dali Lama and Phalah are seen traveling to Peking (6:38) as the nations struggled to coexist (6:38). Though they were assured in Peking the nation would retain it’s autonomy, in Lhasa (6:52) the Chinese flag is raised and natives were subjected to grueling labor as they worked to extend roads beginning from the heart of China (7:10). Chinese automobiles move in citizens for resettlement (7:20). The man pictured here, known as Abbot (7:36) studied at the Sera Monastery near the capital city of Lhasa. He recalls the great procession of his holiness as the Dali Lama went to Sera on a religious pilgrimage (7:47). Simultaneously, Chinese weaponry is moved through the country as they made threatening gestures towards the Dali Lama (8:26). Tibetan natives surround the castle in order to protect the Dali Lama (8:30). The Dali Lama fled at night under a disguise (8:40). Tibetans are pictured following the Dali Lama into exile (8:52). Refugees recall their stories (9:26). Chinese soldiers are pictured capturing a refugee here (9:45). Other refugees move down dirt roads with oxen (9:55) towards Bhutan. Many suffered for days without food (10:18). A female refugee recounts her time as they traversed the snowy mountains (10:42). Some perished during the journey as bodies are pictured stiff and frozen in the snow (10:58). Traditional dances derived from eastern Tibet are depicted (11:48). A nobleman and scholar in Tibet (12:19) is pictured acting as a guardian over a group of orphans (12:22). Photographs follow of occupied Tibet (13:36). John Lennon’s photograph hangs on the wall (13:40) next to a photograph of the Dali Lama (13:52) as a Tibetan man practices the flute (14:02). Much of the religious culture diminished after the occupation began (14:02). Scenes follow of the Chinese army burning tents, relics (14:22) and religious writings. Eventually, Buddhism was considered to be a disgrace in occupied Tibet (14:34). The credit screen appears at (16:41). End credits (16:49).
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFi...