Scaling the Jungfrau
A record of the ascent of the Jungfrau by Frederick Burlingham accompanied by four mountain guides. The film starts with panoramics of the Eiger North Face from Kleine Scheidegg. The party begin the climb from the Jungfraujoch Station crossing the Jungfrau Firn and reaching the summit of the Jungfrau by the steep Roththal Sattel. Frederick Burlingham was a traveller cinematographer and one of the mountain film pioneers. Continuing the mountain film tradition established by Ormiston-Smith, Burlingham filmed several mountaineering films largely in Switzerland, taking mountain film in a new direction of immediacy and perceived peril. In the early history of factual filmmaking, Burlingham played a substantial role in developing the related genres of the mountaineering and the exploration film.
Perilous Ascent of the Zinal-Rothorn
The ascent of the Zinalrothorn filmed by Frederick Burlingham in September 1916. Burlingham, known at the time as 'The man who kinematographed the Matterhorn', was a traveller, cinematographer, and one of the mountain film pioneers. Continuing the mountain film tradition established by Ormiston-Smith, Burlingham filmed several mountaineering films largely in Switzerland, taking mountain film in a new direction of immediacy and perceived peril. In the early history of factual filmmaking, Burlingham played a substantial role in developing the related genres of the mountaineering and the exploration film.
Facing Death on the Blumlisalp
...where the whole expedition, by the breaking of an ice cornice on the summit, escaped death by a hair's breadth. The miraculous escape is recorded on the screen.
Ascent of the Matterhorn
Released in 1923, produced by Frederick Burlingham.
Panorama of Sarnen See
1901, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith
Winter Sports: Ski Jumping at Grindelwald
This exciting and somewhat dangerous sport has attained a popularity at all the Swiss winter resorts that is really remarkable. The film depicts in a most striking way large numbers of Ski jumpers in rapid succession taking most dangerous leaps, and while many of them on alighting on the snow manage to retain an upright position, others come rolling and tumbling over right up to the camera.
Climbing the Jungfrau
Released in 1915, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith.
The Jungfrau Railway
Released in 1920, produced by Frederick Burlingham.
The Arlberg Railway
1906, produced by Charles Urban, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith.
The Matterhorn from the Viège-Zermatt Railway
1907, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith.
Champion Skaters at Engelberg
1909, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith.
Winter Sports: Swiss Snow Sports
A great variety of the Swiss snow sports are here shown. Commencing with toboganning round a steep circular descent, and next in increasing numbers down a precipitous incline, ladies and gentlemen in singles and pairs, several carrying flags and other trophies as they whisk merrily past. Still toboganning at high speed, they next engage in many games-grab apple, tilting at the ring, cleaving the champagne bottle, &c., and in these the lady competitors, who are numerous, show up to great advantage. In the final bout, where mixed couples come down together and "dump" into a huge snow heap at great velocity, the fun is brought to a climax.
Winter Sports: Curling Contests in the Alps
This is an excellent and spirited picture of fine quality depicting the international curling contests in Switzerland, showing the Scotch champion team under very favorable conditions as well as many of the other leading contestants. The heads of the rinks both at the playing up and the "tee" ends are well shown, as also mid-rink views with the "stones"' merrily sailing past. The appropriate mid-winter Alpine surroundings make up a fine picture.
The Mountain Guide
The mountain guide Andreas loves Marie, the hotelier's daughter whom a guest from the city, Alfred, is courting. He thinks about getting rid of his rival, who doesn't suspect anything. Alfred even hires Andreas as a guide for an ascension to the Jungfraujoch. The weather worsens during their climb and Andreas decides to give up, but Alfred is still determined to reach the summit and perishes in the attempt. When Andreas returns to the village alone, Marie accuses him of being responsible for Alfred's death and he is sentenced to ten years of prison. Many years later, Alfred's body reappears from under the glacier and a revealing note is discovered.
Winter Sports at St. Moritz
Released in 1919, produced by Frederick Burlingham.
An Arctic Hike on the Great Aletsch Glacier
Exploration on the Aletsch Glacier, Switzerland. Starting from the station at Jungfraujoch we climb up toward the Glacier, which is 14 miles long and several miles wide and full of deep crevasses and reached only after some difficult climbing. In one place we look down and see a veritable sea of clouds one mile below us. Suddenly a storm swoops down upon us and here, high above a fertile sunny valley, we are caught in a mid-summer blizzard. Going on we climb down to the Marjelensee, the strangest lake in all Switzerland. It is surrounded on all sides by ice and is made of the melted ice water.
Sky Trails Above Lake Lucerne
1924, produced by Frederick Burlingham.
Lovely Lucerne
1918, produced by Frederick Burlingham.
Allied War Heroes Arrive in Switzerland
1918, produced by Frederick Burlingham.
Schwyz Castle
1903, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith.