Postcards From Dalmatia is a colorful 1960s travel film promoting tourism along the coast of what is now Croatia and Montenegro.
The film opens with titles printed over painted scenes and a buoyant folk song. Notable crew includes cinematographer Arthur Wooster, director Adrian de Potier, and narrator James McKechnie. A busy train station is crowded with tourists (0:33). The film cuts to a small cruise ship, the S.S. Jadrolinija, bound from Venice for islands off the coast of then-Yugoslavia. Tourists relax in deckchairs, we hear their voices in the form of imaginary letters to folks back home. The view shifts to the harbor at Rijeka and then Opatija, showing multi-decked bathing piers, shots of tourists on the beach (2:52), and a large seaside slide (3:20). The film cuts to a small fishing boat travelling among islands as a tourist describes the great time he’s had fishing with some locals. A small island restaurant is shown, “a quaint little stone box on the edge of the sea” (5:38). A fisherman is shown mending nets (6:00). Jazzy music kicks in and tourists are shown sunbathing (6:23). A young man describes himself as newly “a man of the world,” and lists adjectives for the nationalities of various lady vacationers. The montage of women ends with a water-skier and swinging flute as the young man enthuses he’s ready to “go man, go” (7:22). The film cuts to scenic natural views (7:36), young people are shown swimming and diving in an idyllic river. The film moves to Šibenik, “for those who want to rub a little culture into their suntan.” The exterior of a 15th century cathedral is shown in detail (8:31) including medieval sculptures and a frieze of heads, some of which are shown in close up (9:22). The film moves to Split, and the estate of modern sculptor Ivan Meštrović. The palace of Diocletian is shown, with crowds of tourists. Ancient Roman sculptures are shown (11:04), and bathing beaches (11:29). 1960s cars and tents are shown, a suburban “motor camp” (11:50). Boat travel runs to Hvar (12:15), with a white stone harbor and Venetian winged lions. Fashionably outfitted women in bathing suits are shown lounging on beaches while men skin dive. Smooth jazz sounds cut in as the view shifts to scenic outdoor dining. A hydroplane is shown in action (14:35). The film moves to Dubrovnik, its history and the structure of its ancient walls is shown and discussed (14:54). An ancient Franciscan monastery, the city’s central thoroughfare, and the old harbor are shown. The small village of Čilipi is shown, unmarried women parading in traditional clothing. A boat of tourists is treated to traditional Serbian music as they sail from Kotor to Budva (18:53). Budva’s ancient architecture is shown, along with the dining room of a more modern hotel (19:12). The tiny historic islet town of Sveti Stefan is shown flocked with tourists. A guitar-driven folk song kicks in with a brief montage of scenic island views, and the film ends.
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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
