Made in 1951, THE STORY OF KOULA is one of the Marshall Plan films. It tells the story of how the USA shipped mules to Greece, in an effort to halt the deterioration of the social order and economy, to prop up the democratic government and prevent the collapse of the nation into a Communist state. The film neatly exemplifies the capacity of Europe to ‘talk back’ to the USA within the framework of cultural aid programs. In the film, the big Dixie mule shipped from the US to Greece does not take readily to working the land in its new home… A small Greek boy hitches a local donkey to the American mule to show him the ropes. This is a witty metaphor for the limits to American power, even if Europe had cause to be grateful for the assistance given under the Marshall Plan.
A simple story designed to promote the Greek agricultural aid program: Koula, a mule, is one of many shipped to Greece from America under the Marshall Plan. A farm boy befriends and learns to work with the animal, which is so much bigger and more “ornery” than the local donkeys. Along with the mules come agricultural experts who help the Greek farmers make their task more productive. One of a number of “one-country” films which also found favor with audiences elsewhere, Koula was eventually voiced in nine languages and shown throughout Western Europe. 1951. Produced by Vittorio Gallo Films, Rome, for ECA.
How the Marshall Plan, by importing mules from America into Greece, brought happ iness to small boy and provided better living for his family and other Greek far mers.
Greek mountains in early light; two pack burros past, bird overhead & in large nest in tree. Boy weeding field, parents & others pulling plow, hoeing. Small village, houses, boy w/ pets of goat, dog. CUs. Holds baby goat. Watches donkey ridden past.
Men sitting at outdoor table, old man talking (MOS); CU list of names waiting for farm animals.
Man nails notice to tree trunk. Boy runs to see, crowd reading; grandfather brought to read & finds he’s getting mule.
Ship docking ; wagons & horses on dock. Mules being unloaded in crates from ship to dock by ship’s crane. Paper work done on deck; mule breaks loose & men try to hold w/ ropes. CU brand USA.
Leaving in trucks past people watching; thru villages. Convoy along road.
Woman wraps bread in blanket & carries down stone stairs to boy & grandfather leaving on foot along gravel road women wave goodbye.
Into ox drawn wagon w/ others; along paved highway w/ wobbling wheel.
Camping under trees, man dances to others playing fiddle & guitar. Boy & Grandfather talking (Greek).
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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 and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
