Accident on the Great Schreckhorn
1902, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith
Vibrant Aviary
A short travelling documentary exploring Ibarbo Park, a family recreation and educational destination in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Home to nearly a hundred varieties of birds, a mini zoo, animal-feeding experiences, and colorful fantasy-themed photo spots, the park offers a vibrant world where recreation and education come together. Created by a group of 11th-grade Film Production students from BOPKRI 1 Vocational High School Yogyakarta, the documentary captures Ibarbo Park during a particular moment in its development—when its now-open Kota Kartun (Cartoon City) area was still being promoted as “coming soon.” Following Neta as the cheerful host as she guides the audience through the largest souvenir center and aviary in Yogyakarta. Completed on November 1, 2024, this unreleased short documentary remains a snapshot of Ibarbo Park as it was during production, preserving a small piece of the attraction’s history before its continued transformation.
The Battle of the Snow
A crowd of a hundred boys rushing the position of another crowd, storming their adversaries with volleys of snowballs, finally driving the enemy from the crest of the hill, a position of vantage they held in the beginning of the fray.
Ascent and Descent of the Aiguilles
1902, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith
Lake Brienze and Geissbach Falls
This gives a panorama of the Village of Isebwald and entrance to Interlaken from the deck of a steamer on Lake Brienz. The famous Geissbach falls form a charming back ground, while as the steamer passes by close to the falls a superb picture of these has been obtained by the use of the Rotary-Maxim Bioscope. Although Brienz is one of the smallest of Swiss lakes, it can well claim to be one of the most beautiful. One of its chief beauties is the Geissbach fall, which from a height of thousands of feet leaps in seven falls into the lake at its feet.
Chamonix: Le mauvais pas
A group of tourists, including five women, croos the Mauvais Pas, a rocky passage equipped with a railing, next to the Mer de Glace Glacier. One of the men ascends from below using a long ice axe. The shot belongs to a collection of scenes that were presented together as a kind of travelogue film under the title of 'Voyages animés' in a diorama pavilion in the Universal Exhibition of Paris of 1900. The mountaineering scenes in this series include four scenes in the Mer de Glace and one in the Meije glacier. These five scenes, under a minute long, are the first mountaineering images ever filmed. Several of the 'Voyages animés' scenes were included in the Lumière catalog in 1901 under the title of 'À travers la France'.
Switzerland Series
Distributed under the title of ‘Switzerland’ or ‘Playground of Europe’, the film consists of a collection of scenes filmed in the Alps by Frank Ormiston-Smith between 1903 and 1905. The scenes belong to concrete moments in different ascents and treks in the Alps and are presented together without the intention to narrate a concrete ascent. These are some of the scenes: Snow avalanche on the Shreckhorn, Difficult ascent of a Rock Peak, A close call - Dangerous climbing, Descent of steep snow drift, Crossing a dangerous snow bridge, Fusillade of rocks on the Alps, Descending a steep rock-faced mountain side, Capt. Spelterini's balloon trip across the Jungfrau, Surmounting the summit of the Finsteraar-joch.
The Dangers of the Alps
The ascent of the Wetterhorn by Frank Ormiston-Smith accompanied by the guide Christian Bergener, Rev. H. J. Heard, Mr. E Burchell-Rodway from the Alpine Club, and the hotelier Herr Fritz Boss from Grindelwald. The film consists of 24 scenes including a final scene of the team on the summit. The film starts with the climbers and the guide leaving the Bear Hotel, at Grindelwald. Later the party arrives at the Wetterhorn Hotel, at the mountain base. They climb the Milchbach Ladders to gain the top of the glacier, cross the Seebach Platte and the upper glacier, and pass the night at the Mountain Inn. Next morning they overcome the Great Coulvu and gain the arete to finally reach the summit. Sections of the film are tinted to give the effects of dawn, sunset and rose-glow actually experienced during the climb.
Visit to Jerusalem
1904, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith.
Eagleswing Panorama of the Wetterhorn
1901, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith
The Arlberg Railway
1906, produced by Charles Urban, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith.
The Wintry Alps
Scenes from a series filmed for Charles Urban by mountain expert Frank Ormiston-Smith, including The Battle of the Snow, Ski Jumping in the Alps, and Outing of the Ski Club.
Ascent and Descent of the Dolomite Towers
Frank Ormiston-Smith, the pioneer mountaineering photograher and filmmaker, filmed in 1906 the ascent to several towers in the Cinque Torri area in the Dolomites, acomppanied by Bortolo Barbaria, Baldessare Verzi and Damiano Dibona, three well-known Ampezzo mountain guides. Among others, the team ascended Torri Inglese, and placed the camera on top of some of the towers by pulling it with a rope. The film, produced by the Urban Trading Company, was presented at the Alhambra Theater in London in November 1906. Ormiston-Smith is considered the father of mountain cinema. In 1902 he filmed the first major mountain film shown widely in cinemas: "The Ascent of Mont Blanc". The success of his films encouraged the production of alpine films in which mountaineering feats were shown, and inspired other pioneer filmmakers.
Panorama of Alpine Scenery
1901, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith
Chamonix: la mer de glace. Descente.
Four roped men descend through the seracs of the Mer de Glace. One of them falls and has to be hoisted. The shot belongs to a collection of scenes that were presented together as a kind of travelogue film under the title of 'Voyages animés' in a diorama pavilion in the Universal Exhibition of Paris of 1900. The mountaineering scenes in this series include four scenes in the Mer de Glace and one in the Meije glacier. These five scenes, under a minute long, are the first mountaineering images ever filmed. Several of the 'Voyages animés' scenes were included in the Lumière catalog in 1901 under the title of 'À travers la France'.
Lake Front of Lucerne
1901, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith
Chamonix - La Mer de glace. Montée
Four roped men jump a crevasse and ascend through the seracs of the Mer de Glace using long ice axes. The shot belongs to a collection of scenes that were presented together as a kind of travelogue film under the title of 'Voyages animés' in a diorama pavilion in the Universal Exhibition of Paris of 1900. The mountaineering scenes in this series include four scenes in the Mer de Glace and one in the Meije glacier. These five scenes, under a minute long, are the first mountaineering images ever filmed. Several of the 'Voyages animés' scenes were included in the Lumière catalog in 1901 under the title of 'À travers la France'.
Arrival of the Steamer, Interlaken
Interlaken, as its name implies, is dependent to a large extent on the two beautiful lakes for much of its popularity. An interesting short panorama from steamer arriving at this noted resort.
Eagleswing Panorama of the Mer de Glace
1901 film of the Mer de Glace, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith.
Upset of Bobsleigh Parties Down Steep Hill
1902, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith