Khyber @ 50
It started with a tweet…
and so I thought, when its 50 years I’ll go and pay a visit to the “Khyber Pass”.
Things sort of snowballed.
Things sort of snowballed.
Sections of the Watkin Path leading from Nant Gywnant up to the summit of Snowdon served as a convenient stand in for the sometimes difficult and dangerous to reach Khyber pass, in the north of Pakistan, close to the border with Afghanistan.
There is a “making of” and you’ll find it at: https://youtu.be/lGshDSgVF-4 – black and white news footage of the cast and crew filming in Snowdonia.
Further information also at:
and
http://www.british-film-locations.com/compare/ds/ this with images showing then and now.
And of course…
And of course…
There is a re-enactment group - “The Third Foot and Mouth” - they have a facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/3rd-Foot-and-Mouth-441566519541126/) and you can book them for your show, event or fête. While they have visited the filming site several times no parade was scheduled for the 50th anniversary week – so I went instead.
Having changed, under cover, in the car and with words of encouragement from the staff at the Caffi Gynant (https://www.cafesnowdon.co.uk/) who had seen it all before, I set out on my 2.5km march up to the border. The boots weighed 1.2kg each and, note to self, break them in properly next time. On the way up I met youtube blogger Anna Tyrie (https://twitter.com/anna_tyrie) and Anna’s Big Adventure (https://www.youtube.com/user/annatyrie) – some video was taken – so blustery I don’t think it will be useable.
The border post was manned for four hours during which time a spoke with a couple of hundred hikers – ranging from Carry On aficionados, through bearded millennials having only a vague idea of what it was all about, to overseas tourists with whom I had the most interesting of conversations: “The movie is a highlight of British cultural patrimony”. I took along a scrapbook with photos and notes and handed out Khyber Pass passes:
The making of MacNutt.
Regimental Sergeant-Major MacNutt, as played by Terry Scott, was not as tricky a re-creation as I had imagined – nearly everything can be had from either ebay or suppliers of historic militaria.
Here is my kit list:
- Genuine Royal Regiment of Scotland Kilt, Sporran, White Spats and “red ribbons” (socks for the use of) from ebay store rjhmilitaria2016 rjhmilitaria2016 – I discover that kilts are fitted in terms of height, waist and breech – and a visit to the warehouse by Rachel found me a properly fitting item and wishing “May the benevolence of the god Shivoo bring blessings on your house” before heading out with husband for a spot of tiffin. A proper fan of the film.
- Tunic with Scottish Cutaway (to approximate the uniforms worn in COUTK - similar to 2nd Boer War Bushveldt Carbineers / British Victorian "Boer War" Uniform as shown on your site and previously discussed) and White Foreign Service Helmet from Mark at the History Bunker (https://thehistorybunker.co.uk/) . The tunic was custom made, modified for kilt use and with lots of period detail and fittings.
- British Army Ammunition Boots (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammunition_boot) – mint condition with hobnails and metal toe and heel fittings – make a lovely noise but weigh a tonne – T W Ryder in Birmingham (www.twrydersinbirmingham.co.uk)
- Victorian 1881-1901 Crown Helmet Plate Brass Metal with Victorian The Royal Scots Helmet Plate Centre – ebay badgeman2005 (38481)
and finally:
- Officers Webley .455 holster white leather, 24th foot Swagger Stick, Sgt Bourne in Zulu, Colour/Staff Sergeants Red Sash 32" waist, Dress White Gloves. MP. Large White all from http://www.sofmilitary.co.uk
It didn’t seem a good idea to be wandering around bearing a rifle and the white webbing set and forage bags seemed a bit tricky to fabricate – so RSM MacNutt it was,
and me trying the same:
and finally – resting my blistered feet and aching calves:
-oOo-
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