Being the world's only Afro-Eurasian country (that is to say African geographically, but Mediterranean and partly Middle Eastern culturally), Egpyt has occupied a special place in history for thousands of years. This short film goes over some worthwhile sights the country has to offer as of the early 1950s and how people are transitioning into the modern day while living in such an old place. In fact, the film is mostly centered around the inhabitants, not the nation in question. Firstly, we see Fitzpatrick sitting outside Alexandria, (where a band is playing) and he's interviewing an egyptian who works at a Generals Motor plant. The guy says the attitude towards foreign industry in egypt is positive and he is happy to work there. Egypt's most popular college sport is football (not the American one), and we witness a game taking place at King Farouk University. Named after the reigning monarch, whose brother-in-law was the Iranian Shah Reza Pahlavi. Over 20 thousand people attend colleges in egypt, including women, the latter being a new addition to the privilege of higher education. We're then introduced to a talented professional horsewoman who can also speak 7 languages. Her father is the director of one of the most prestigious hospitals in egypt. Around halfway through, the film switches perspectives and shows us the egypt known to the Romans and Cleopatra from millennia before. People are seen walking about in rural areas with unpaved roads, riding on camels, and using boats on a small river. Lastly, we see a military officer named Ibrahim Mustafa, who honors egypt's former British colonial masters by having the men under his command play british marching songs. Strangely, there's even quite a number with bagpipes. Hardly something you'd imagine when thinking of this place. Because this short has James Fitzpatrick as the narrator, I was surprised to learn it's not Traveltalks. The poster may say it is, but there was already an installment of that series that had egypt's monuments and history as its focal point. This one I don't find as interesting because the things shown are really similar to any other country you might find in the west. The guy in the beginning even says he's happy to contribute to foreign industry, and Fitzpatrick says later on if this keeps up, egypt's modernization might erase the country's ancient history forever. This would be a huge loss not just for them, but for world history in general. I just thought it was weird how the military is willing to adhere to the songs and traditions held by those who invaded them.
