This made-for-tv black and white documentary film from 1960 was part of the “True Adventure” TV series. Entitled “Savage Flame”, this episode chronicles the journey of explorer Don Rathlin as he adventures into the jungle of Yucatan Mexico to spend two weeks with the Lacandon Tribe. According to the film, the Lacandon tribe are descendants of the Mayans and live in the rainforest of Yucatan, Mexico. The film highlights their way of life and their cultural values. Produced by Gene McCabe and Gerald Pearce, the show is presented by Bill Burrud.
Fireworks and opening credits (0:10). Camera zooms into the globe while voice over narration begins (0:33). Host Bill Burrud addresses the camera and introduces the program (0:41). Native people of Yucatan, Mexico (1:05). Ruins of Mayan Civilization (1:27). Views of Tenosique southern Mexico, close to Guatemalan border and point where railroad from Veracruz to Yucatan crosses the river Usumacinta (2:22). Children play on banks of the Rio Usumacinta (2:59). Adventurer Don Rathlin arrives in Tenosique to explore Campeche Forest (3:30). Aerial view from plane of Usumacinta (3:59). Don Rathlin lands plane and is greeted by members of Lacandon tribe (4:34). Young women investigate Don Rathlin’s ballpoint pen (5:32). Children of the tribe (5:56). Craftsmanship and cultivation of locally grown cotton (6:17). Foliage and wildlife of the tropical rainforest (7:40). Tapir (8:50). Kinkajou (9:08). Birds of the rainforest: Woodpeckers (9:47). Macaw parrots (10:13). Vulture (11:05). Another Lacandon settlement (12:08). Christian missionary Philip Bear and his family (12:16). Tribesman prepares balché in a cayuco (14:12). Women prepare thread and fabric (17:46). Women prepare tortillas (18:36). Villagers eat snails which are considered a delicacy (20:32). Boat trip down the Rio Achaha (21:36). Anteater in a tree (22:20). Iguana (22:47). Traditional chant songs of the tribe (23:30). Mayan engraving (23:52). Bill Burrud with closing remarks (25:01). Closing credits (26:13).
The Lacandon are one of the Maya peoples who live in the jungles of the Mexican state of Chiapas, near the southern border with Guatemala. Their homeland, the Lacandon Jungle, lies along the Mexican side of the Usumacinta River and its tributaries. The Lacandon are one of the most isolated and culturally conservative of Mexico’s native peoples.
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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 http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
