The subject is two grotesque-looking human beings who are sitting on the deck of a ship. The two weird individuals sit cross-legged and do the bidding of a man in oriental costume. The point of the film seems to be directed at the fact that the bone structure of the two subjects makes them look like monkeys or apes, and the spectators seem to be trying to get them to behave like monkeys, that is, scratch themselves, etc.
A hunter and his native helpers set up a trap, then taunt and shoot a panther. Next we see the locals skin the animal.
On 4 September Frederick Albert Cook (1865-1940) arrived in Copenhagen on the ship 'Hans Egede'. He received a hero's welcome as the first man to set foot on the North Pole. He was greeted by the king, and given an honorary doctorate at the University of Copenhagen. Only a few days later, however, his endeavour was questioned, and in December the University rejected Cook's documentation. Carl Th. Dreyer is seen as one of the journalists taking notes. (DFI)
A group of people are standing along the platform of a railway station in La Ciotat, waiting for a train. One is seen coming, at some distance, and eventually stops at the platform. Doors of the railway-cars open and attendants help passengers off and on. Popular legend has it that, when this film was shown, the first-night audience fled the café in terror, fearing being run over by the "approaching" train. This legend has since been identified as promotional embellishment, though there is evidence to suggest that people were astounded at the capabilities of the Lumières' cinématographe.
Kieslowski’s later film Dworzec (Station, 1980) portrays the atmosphere at Central Station in Warsaw after the rush hour.
Different species of fish and frogs, inside an aquarium.
Marquesas in their sedan chairs.
Lyon, Men rescue rabbits from flood.
A crowd of spectators listen to President William McKinley's speech during his inauguration ceremony outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
19th century carnival ride.
People gather at the exit of the St. Trophime cathedral in Arles.
Pedestrian and various vehicles traffic on Place Bellecour, in Lyon.
Horses and their riders make their way into the compact and agitated crowd of spectators.
The main market square in the heart of Brussels.
Coach W. Hickenbotham takes "Newhaven" out of his box and places the horse at the center of the paddock. Gardiner, the jockey, saddles up the horse, rides it and begins to spin, slowly.
Panorama during the ascent of the Eiffel Tower.
A street scene in Berlin near Hallesches Tor.
Panorama of the port of Algiers.
A street scene with a government building in the background.
Carrara, Italy. A train loaded with marble exits a tunnel.