“Decision in Thailand” (1953) is a color, scripted Christian missionary film directed by Alan Shilin, who worked for the Protestant Film Commission. It tells the story of Manot as he toils with the decision to leave his Buddhist religion for the Christian faith. Made in conjunction with field consultant Reverend Ernest L. Fogg, the film features footage of Thai landmarks while depicting the lives of a recent Christian convert from the Thai lower class Pong Pit as well as the upper class siblings Manot and Rashani. As Manot takes more interest in Christianity and ultimately converts after attending missionary meetings with his friend Pong Pit his relationship with his sister crumbles. Nonetheless, Manot finds solace in the work he does as a teacher and also medical practitioner at the McKean Leper Colony in Chiang Mai.

Camera pans Bangkok skyline along Chao Phraya River, temples, riverside markets, smokestacks of industrial factories (0:27). Aerial view of vendor paddling canoe-like boat filled with produce toward floating market, crowd of Thai longtail boats (Rua hang yao) (0:42). Interior of one of the longtail boats – man sleeps on floor, woman plays with child in background (1:00). (1:39). Pong Pit routine: sits in tattered clothes, studies notes in notebook (1:39). Bathes in murky canal waters (2:00). Prayer over breakfast, meager dishes of some vegetables (2:14). (2:33). Manot and Roshani exit multi-level blue private villa in suburb (2:33). The duo ride on samlor through residential streets of Bangkok (3:00). Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram (Buddhist temple), Dusit District of Bangkok (3:40). Close-up Thai-style plaster carved deity (4:39). Buddhist priests in yellow Kāṣāya robes hold prayer thread, chant in unison during ceremony – women pray in silence (4:43). Close-up of prayer alter with fresh flowers, burning candles (5:25). Elaborate feast sprawled on floor for buddhist priests, additional tray presented to Buddha in front of prayer alter (5:29). Pong Pit paddles Thai longtail boat along murky waters of canal, grass huts and palm-trees line canal (5:56). Missionary sits with Bible in lab at youth meeting, Manot, Pong Pit, and other Thai coeds sit around room (6:50). Perhaps Wat Suthat Thepwararam (8:05). Manot walks inner courtyard of Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram “the Marble Temple,” finds sister Roshani praying to deity (8:25). Thai style bronze guardian lions (9:27). Manot on Phra Phot Bridge decorated with ornately carved floral pattern (10:07). Crowd of Thai longtail boats at floating market, Manot speaks with Pong Pit on his boat (10:16). First Presbyterian Church, Samray, Bangkok – Manot speaks with pastor (11:22). Privileged class family dinner, family prays to alter, burn incense (11:59). Manot tosses and turns, images of cultural epithets, his sister play (13:48). Priest’s hands hold baptismal font, Manot kneels before priest and is baptized (15:54). Bangkok Grand Palace (16:07). Perhaps Khon dance performed at private garden reception, dancers dress in armor-like costume; live band plays taphon drum other instruments in background (16:15). Female dance troupe perform in colorful traditional dresses (17:28). Close-up ranat ek instrument (17:56). Close-up Khong Wong Lek (17:59). Pedestrian bridge, statue (18:36). Empty plates laid on red rattan weed mat (19:32). Manot walks perhaps Memorial Bridge over Chao Phraya River; samlors, busses, automobiles pass by (19:40). Manot teaches Sunday school in church courtyard (20:28). Illustration of “Healing of the 10 Lepers” (20:45). Annual Christian Youth Work Project – camera pans McKean Leper Colony, Chiang Mai (21:30). Thai Christian youth missionaries work on building materials, building frames for new buildings (21:50). Manot stands in with board in front of group of Thai women, teaches them how to read (22:38). Manot assists at examination of woman with leprosy, woman blindfolded and taped to discern infected areas (23:16). Manot uses typewriter to write letter to sister, frame of her reading letter in chair (23:48). Mission doctor, Manot, and nurses join in prayer before conducting surgery on leprosy patient (24:27). Rashani’s reflection in mirror of vanity, she picks up and investigates bible (25:37). Pong Pit and Manot lead bible discussion group, page of bible in Thai, Rashani appears on path walking towards the group (26:11).

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