The Arrival of the King of Siam in Stockholm

Plot

This historic Swedish documentary captures the ceremonial arrival of King Chulalongkorn of Siam (modern Thailand) at Logårdstrappan in Stockholm, where he is formally welcomed by King Oscar II of Sweden. The film documents the diplomatic meeting between the two monarchs, showcasing the elaborate protocol and ceremonial greetings that characterized royal visits during the late 19th century. King Chulalongkorn's visit was part of his European tour and coincided with the Stockholm Exhibition of 1897, a major industrial and cultural fair. The footage preserves a rare glimpse of early international diplomacy and cross-cultural exchange between European and Asian monarchies. The camera captures the formal procession, the exchange of greetings between the kings, and the assembled dignitaries who gathered to witness this historic meeting.

Historical Background

This film was created during the very birth of cinema, less than two years after the Lumière brothers' first public screening in Paris. 1897 was a pivotal year when motion picture technology was spreading globally, with filmmakers in various countries experimenting with this new medium. The Stockholm Exhibition of 1897 represented Sweden's emergence as an industrialized nation, showcasing technological progress to the world. King Chulalongkorn's visit was part of a broader trend of increased diplomatic and cultural exchange between Europe and Asia during the colonial era. The film captures a moment when traditional monarchy was adapting to modern times, with both kings representing ancient dynasties while engaging with contemporary technological innovations like cinema.

Making Of

Ernest Florman, who served as the official court photographer to the Swedish royal family, was granted special permission to document this historic royal meeting. The filming required careful coordination with royal protocol officers to ensure the camera's presence did not disrupt the formal ceremonies. Florman had to manually crank the camera while maintaining steady framing, a challenging task given the equipment's weight and the need to capture the important moments of the royal greeting. The film was processed on-site or shortly after in Florman's photographic laboratory, using developing techniques that were still being perfected for motion picture film. The entire production was a logistical challenge, as electricity for lighting was not available at the outdoor location, requiring filming to be done in optimal daylight conditions.

Visual Style

The cinematography consists of a single stationary shot, typical of early Lumière-style films. The camera was positioned at an elevated angle to capture the full ceremonial proceedings at Logårdstrappan. The black and white imagery shows the formal composition characteristic of royal portraiture, adapted to the moving image medium. The framing captures both the architectural grandeur of the Stockholm Palace setting and the dignified movements of the royal participants. The limited technology of 1897 resulted in somewhat jerky motion due to the hand-cranked camera and variable frame rate, but the clarity of the image was remarkable for its time.

Innovations

The film represents an early example of documentary filmmaking and newsreel-style actuality cinema. It demonstrates the immediate application of motion picture technology for documenting contemporary events of historical importance. The successful capture of a royal ceremony with available 1897 technology shows Florman's technical proficiency and understanding of the medium's potential. The preservation of this film for over 125 years is itself a technical achievement, given the fragility of early film stock.

Music

The film was originally silent, as synchronized sound technology would not be developed for another 30 years. During exhibition at the Stockholm Exhibition, the film would have been accompanied by live music, typically a pianist or small orchestra playing appropriate regal or classical music to enhance the ceremonial atmosphere. Modern screenings may feature newly composed scores or period-appropriate classical music.

Memorable Scenes

• The formal greeting between King Oscar II and King Chulalongkorn at the base of Logårdstrappan, captured in a single continuous shot that preserves the ceremonial protocol and dignified bearing of both monarchs as they exchange greetings in front of their assembled retinues.

What Critics Said

Contemporary reception of the film is not extensively documented, as film criticism was not yet established as a profession in 1897. However, reports from the Stockholm Exhibition indicate that the moving pictures were received as a technological marvel and novelty attraction. Modern film historians and archivists recognize the film as a crucial document of early cinema history, particularly significant for being Sweden's inaugural film. The Swedish Film Institute considers it a cornerstone of national cinematic heritage, and it is frequently referenced in academic studies of early European cinema and the globalization of film technology.

What Audiences Thought

Original audiences at the Stockholm Exhibition reportedly expressed fascination and wonder at seeing moving images of real people and events they had just witnessed or read about in newspapers. The film would have been shown as part of a program of short actuality films, with audiences paying a small fee to experience the novelty of cinema. Modern audiences, primarily film historians and cinema enthusiasts, view the film as an invaluable historical document that provides a window into both the birth of cinema and late 19th-century royal ceremonies.

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