It's the Peru and Bolivia section of the Andes. Traveltalks visits another culture and I like this better than looking at a bunch of buildings. It serves as a time capsule of a way of life before the modern world. There may be no great structures but there is something more grander. It's also great to see it in color. I didn't know their derby hats came from Italy. Then, this goes down to Chile where the locals are European settlers. It's not quite as exotic but the landscape is still compelling.
5 Reviews
Not the usual talk, more on people
rgcustomer25 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I liked this TravelTalk. Unfortunately, it does seem to lack some of the colour and zip of others that I've seen. But it makes up for it by including lots of local people doing their thing.
It starts in the Peru/Bolivia area of the Andes mountain range, with a focus on the Derby-wearing native "Indian" inhabitants and their farming (pigs, sheep, the original Peruvian potatoes imported to Ireland, beans, llamas) and their way of life (huts, washing clothes in stream, combing hair, carding wool).
Then it moves to Chilean foothills, with farming descendants of Spanish and German immigrants, living a ranchero lifestyle. Oxen are seen pulling a sort of sled with curved wooden runners, as wheels are not suitable for the terrain. A father and son are seen ploughing the land.
From there we go to the touristy Chilean Lake District (now known as Los Lagos Region), with tours by small boat, and year-round snow-covered peaks used for skiing in winter. This is the land of the Araucanian "Indians". As above, it's not clear to the average viewer what actual people these are. The Araucanians are not the Aymara, whose word "tchili" (snow) is floated as the origin of the name Chile. The peak Osorno is noted for its similarity to Japan's "Fujiyama" (actually Fuji-san).
It starts in the Peru/Bolivia area of the Andes mountain range, with a focus on the Derby-wearing native "Indian" inhabitants and their farming (pigs, sheep, the original Peruvian potatoes imported to Ireland, beans, llamas) and their way of life (huts, washing clothes in stream, combing hair, carding wool).
Then it moves to Chilean foothills, with farming descendants of Spanish and German immigrants, living a ranchero lifestyle. Oxen are seen pulling a sort of sled with curved wooden runners, as wheels are not suitable for the terrain. A father and son are seen ploughing the land.
From there we go to the touristy Chilean Lake District (now known as Los Lagos Region), with tours by small boat, and year-round snow-covered peaks used for skiing in winter. This is the land of the Araucanian "Indians". As above, it's not clear to the average viewer what actual people these are. The Araucanians are not the Aymara, whose word "tchili" (snow) is floated as the origin of the name Chile. The peak Osorno is noted for its similarity to Japan's "Fujiyama" (actually Fuji-san).
Llamas and Potatoes
boblipton13 June 2020
James A. Fitzpatrick sends the Technicolor cameras to the high reaches of South America under cinematographer Keith Covey. After a breathtaking opening shot showing the immense mountains, he spends most of the time on the Indians who live in the mountains, their potatoes and llamas, before turning to the tourist spots, the hotels, and the boats on the water.
The copy of this travelogue that plays on Turner Classic Movies is a bit fuzzy, looking like it's from a 16mm television print.
The copy of this travelogue that plays on Turner Classic Movies is a bit fuzzy, looking like it's from a 16mm television print.
Picturesque
wes-connors28 March 2015
In this episode of MGM's documentary short subject series "Traveltalks", producer-narrator James A. FitzPatrick takes us to the mountains of South America where we witness "Life in the Andes". Although the altitude is great, people live in this area. The natives live a primitive lifestyle. They grow a lot of potatoes, which are revealed to have originated here; then, they were grown in Ireland and the world. Several animals help, most notably the llama. Natives favor wearing a brown derby, which they import from Italy. The mountains are beautiful and people enjoy sports. We're told the Andes natives are very happy because they live in a democracy. The picturesque Technicolor photography is by Keith Covey.
**** Life in the Andes (2/23/52) James A. FitzPatrick ~ James A. FitzPatrick
**** Life in the Andes (2/23/52) James A. FitzPatrick ~ James A. FitzPatrick
TravelTalks
Michael_Elliott30 July 2011
Life in the Andes (1952)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Another nice entry in James A. Fitzpatrick's TravelTalks series from MGM. This time out he takes us to Peru, South America where we get a closer look at the Andes Mountains and the Indians who live there. Taking a look at the Indians we learn that very little has changed over the past several generations as the people still eat sheep and pigs, grow potatoes, mix and dry beans and still use the same method for washing clothing. We learn that the children are given chores to do as soon as they're able to walk and we get to look at a line of Italian derby hats that some wear yet it's a mystery how they came to be in the tribe. If you're unfamiliar with this series then you've certainly got a lot of catching up to do as MGM took viewers all over the world showing off various places in their glamorous Technicolor. As usual, the real highlight is being able to see these places in color and that certainly helps these mountains because of how crystal blue the skies are. This is another good entry as once again we're treated to some wonderful information and it's always interesting to see these people who have probably never seen a camera in their lives.
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Another nice entry in James A. Fitzpatrick's TravelTalks series from MGM. This time out he takes us to Peru, South America where we get a closer look at the Andes Mountains and the Indians who live there. Taking a look at the Indians we learn that very little has changed over the past several generations as the people still eat sheep and pigs, grow potatoes, mix and dry beans and still use the same method for washing clothing. We learn that the children are given chores to do as soon as they're able to walk and we get to look at a line of Italian derby hats that some wear yet it's a mystery how they came to be in the tribe. If you're unfamiliar with this series then you've certainly got a lot of catching up to do as MGM took viewers all over the world showing off various places in their glamorous Technicolor. As usual, the real highlight is being able to see these places in color and that certainly helps these mountains because of how crystal blue the skies are. This is another good entry as once again we're treated to some wonderful information and it's always interesting to see these people who have probably never seen a camera in their lives.
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