This black & white educational film tells a highly fictionalized story of the travels of Marco Polo. Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant, explorer, and writer who travelled through Asia along the Silk Road between 1271 and 1295. Copyright 1955.

Opening titles: Encyclopedia Britannica Films presents Marco Polo’s Travels (:05-:42). “The Book of Marco Polo” serves as a backdrop for the main title. At the start of the film, Sir Marco Polo is awakened by two people. The men talk with Sir Marco. Marco, while a prisoner of war in Genoa, tells his tales to a scribe or secretary who writes down his personal story (:43-3:09). 1271 – Marco Polo leaves Venice via ship with cargo for the Orient. The map shows Marco Polo’s route. Marco Polo’s father talks with priests. Liais in Armenia, priests don’t want to leave. Marco writes and talks with people. Map shows the route. Marco goes to Kubla Khan in Xanadu (3:10-5:14). Marco and his father speak to Khan. Marco Polo hands writings to Khan (5:15-7:05). Marco bows to Khan. Map shows lands from Polo’s era. Marco takes in the sights. Buildings in China. City of Hangzhou. Rubys and sapphires. Pearls. A nut is opened (7:06-9:17). Kubla Khan speaks as Marco listens. Khan’s soldiers. The soldiers are paid in paper money. A man carries water. Khan eats, feeds his monkey (9:18-10:58). A woman sings a song while Marco reflects on things. Marco wants to leave but Khan wants him to stay and never speak again of leaving (10:59-13:19). Marco goes to speak to Khan. Khan wants Marco to bring a woman to Persia. Khan tells him that once the woman is in Persia, he can return to the land of his birth (13:20-15:27). Khan gives Marco a ring, Marco bows. Marco Polo leaves in a ship from Chang Chow aka Zhangzhou. The journey takes 2 1/2 years. Many people died during the journey, but Marco and the woman were among the survivors. Marco Polo delivers the woman to Persia. In 1295, Marco returns to Venice (15:28-17:18). A hand writes. Marco Polo ends writing his book in prison. After being arrested right after his return, Marco was freed in 1299. He sits with children, holding his book, “The Book of Marco Polo” (17:19-18:18). End credits (18:19-18:25).

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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