KOREA & THAILAND IN 1931: “Siam to Korea” New HD Scan + English Subtitles
독일로봇 Dogil Robot
Jan 23, 2025
Experience history with the first-ever 2K restoration of "Siam to Korea" (1931), an early entry in James A. FitzPatrick's Traveltalks series. This rare film captures life in Siam (Thailand) during the Great Depression and prelude to the 1932 Revolution, as well as Korea under Japanese colonial rule, showcasing its traditions and iconic landmarks like Gyeongbokgung Palace. Restored from an original film roll with unmatched clarity, this version is free of cropping, timestamps, and watermarks.
00:00 – intro
00:25 – Thailand in 1931: historical background
01:25 – Korea in 1931: historical background
02:03 – about this new scan
03:00 – Siam to Korea
03:35 – Siam
10:10 – Korea
The caption for the video is:
Hello! Today, it is my great pleasure to present to you "Siam to Korea," scanned for the first time ever in 2K high resolution straight from an old film reel. "Siam to Korea" is one of the early entries in James A. Fitzpatrick's "Travel Talks" series and was released in 1931. The situation in Thailand and Korea at the time was vastly different from how it is nowadays. Thailand, or Siam as it was known then, was surrounded by countries under colonial rule: Malaya and Singapore under British rule to the south, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam as French Indochina to the east, and Myanmar as part of British India. Siam would remain independent but had its own share of events. Instead of the economic boom of the 1920s, the global Great Depression was now causing hardships. Shortly after "Siam to Korea" was released, the Siamese revolution of 1932 ended Siam's century-long absolute monarchy. Korea in the early 1930s was under the tough rule of the Empire of Japan. Extreme measures such as bans on the Korean language had not been fully implemented yet, but Japan's assimilation policies were well underway. The Government-General Building, for example, had been placed right on top of Gyeongbokgung, the main royal palace of Korea in the center of Seoul, and several city streets were lined entirely by Japanese-style houses, as seen in "Siam to Korea." It would not be until 1945 that Korea was liberated, with its division into North and South and eventually the Korean War. "Siam to Korea" has been available online for quite a while now, but with shortcomings in its quality. This new scan has a much higher 2K resolution. Not only is the picture quality better and more detailed, it also contains more information as it is not zoomed in. The picture is completely free from time stamps and watermarks, and I have painstakingly restored the original playback speed of 20 frames per second. The only issue is the sound quality; despite buying and scanning an additional VHS of this film, a few audio bits here and there are still missing. If you happen to have access to a better sound source, please do let me know. Also, if you come across any issues with the subtitles in your language, kindly inform me so that we can make this film accessible to as many people as possible. Finally, if you like, check out my other videos as well. Thanks for watching, and enjoy "Siam to Korea"!
The film opens in Siam, a small kingdom of 10 million people living in relative isolation. The journey to Bangkok, the capital, begins with a glimpse of a Chinese junk, a reminder of the early settlers who migrated from Mongolia. After sailing through the Gulf of Siam, the film transitions to a train journey inland to Bangkok. A brief exploration of Siamese marriage customs is presented, noting the acceptance of multiple wives, while emphasizing the first wife's position as head of the household. The film also observes the unique custom of Siamese mothers and couples greeting each other not with kisses, but by rubbing faces. Transportation in Siam is highlighted as primarily water-based, with various goods like rice, sugarcane, coconuts, and fruits being transported along the rivers by boat. Bangkok is introduced as a sprawling city, second in land area only to London. The film emphasizes the ongoing efforts to educate and modernize the younger generation of Siam and makes mention of the King's large family.
The film showcases the artistic nature of the Siamese people, highlighting their highly developed architecture, dance, and music, all deeply rooted in Indo-Chinese artistic traditions. Siamese architecture is primarily showcased through its religious buildings, particularly those dedicated to Buddhism, the national religion. Buddhism, introduced from India in the 2nd century AD, is depicted as a central force in Siamese life. The film features the magnificent Temple of the Emerald Buddha, named for the emerald statue of Buddha housed within. A visit to the Pasteur Institute is also included. The profound influence of religion on daily life is emphasized, noting the tradition of Siamese men, including the King, spending time in monasteries. The film then reflects on the power and reach of Buddhism and its millions of followers, prompting a comparison with other religions and suggesting a sense of humility.
The narrative then shifts to Korea, where Buddhism also holds a strong presence, claiming 17 million followers. The film arrives at the port of Seoul, where a diverse crowd has gathered. A man in traditional Korean attire, described as a "white-robed gentleman with the funny hat," becomes a focal point. He is presented as a representative of the Korean people, acknowledging Japan's political control but subtly asserting the superiority of Korean intellectual and moral traditions. The film offers a glimpse into the life of the former Korean king, residing in a new palace under the patronage of his Japanese rulers. The streets of Seoul are presented as a visual testament to the ongoing Japanese assimilation of Korea, with examples of Japanese-style architecture. The film also observes the seeming dominance of women in Seoul's society, perhaps a vestige of a past custom where a curfew allowed women free rein of the streets at night. This custom, however, is noted as having been discontinued.
The film then focuses on Korean children, highlighting their responsibility in caring for younger siblings and emphasizing the deep-rooted respect for fathers. The children are shown engaging in playful activities, such as imitating the elaborate etiquette of their elders. A humorous scene unfolds as a young girl hesitates to allow the filming of her baby sibling. A traditional Korean dance, reminiscent of Japanese geisha dances and referred to as the "drum dance," is performed. The film concludes with a lingering image of the "gentlemen with the white robes and horsehair hats," symbolizing the essence of Korea, offering a gracious farewell.
- ผู้กำกับ: James A. FitzPatrick ที่รู้จักกันในนาม "The Voice of the Globe"
- วันฉาย: ปี 1931
- ประเภท: สารคดีท่องเที่ยว/สารคดีสั้น
- ดนตรี: Nathaniel Shilkret ได้รับการกล่าวถึงว่ามีส่วนร่วมในภาพยนตร์เรื่องนี้
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