Guest
Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website “The Lebanon” is a color, 1960s travel film by Pan Am Airways promoting travel to the small, Levantine country on the Mediterranean - Lebanon. The film is one in a series made for Pan Am called “New Horizons“. Lebanon’s location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian hinterland has contributed to its rich history and shaped its diverse cultural identity. Between Lebanon’s independence from the French at the end of World War II and before the start of the Lebanese Civil War, the country was dubbed the “Switzerland of the Middle East” and was a popular destination for jet setters from around the world. Censorship notice British Board of Film Censors London, England (0:01). Paramount Pictures logo: arch of stars surround overlaid oil painting Ben Lomond Peak, Ohio (0:13). Boeing 727 jets landing on tarmacs before footage of Pan AM Boeing 707-121 taxying (0:27). Beirut International Airport c. 1960s (1:01). Lebanese flags wave in wind (1:06). POV from inside car as it drives along streets of Beirut, colorful mid-century modern architecture, car eventually pulls up to Phoenicia Beirut Hotel owned by businessman Najib Salha (1:08). Concierge wearing red fez cap and Ottoman costume opens door of perhaps 1967 Pontiac Parisienne and welcomes guests (1:28). 1960s jet setters in and around the Phoenicia’s oval pool (1:37). Street scenes of bustling traffic from around downtown Beirut, banner promoting Lebanese National Lottery in red and black Arabic script hangs from street lamps across street, police officer directs traffic, pedestrian traffic in (1:56). Librairie Antoine bustling streets of Hamra neighborhood (2:29). Barbeer - Beirut Gold and Silver district, woman gazes at gold chains in window display (2:33). View down sandy beach of Sidon/ Saida (2:50). Tourists explore ruins of Sidon Sea Castle which was built by Crusaders during 13th century, man sits on ruins and smokes from long pipe (3:04). Phoenician ruins of Tyre along Mediterranean (3:28). Men and women in colorful costumes sing and dance (3:59). View from car window of mountains of Lebanon, shepherd runs beside flock of sheep on mountain road (4:12). Shepherd wearing black and white keffiyeh sits on hillside and watches goats graze (4:26). View of Bsharri (birthplace of Khalil Gibran) (4:48). More views of nature, mountainous region of Lebanon (5:02). Famous Lebanese Cedar trees (5:19). People dine at outdoor restaurant, examples of traditional Lebanese mezze (5:33). Highway sign in English and Arabic, car drives along road towards Baalbek (6:11). Grounds of Temple of Jupiter (Roman Heliopolis), Baalbek southern Lebanon (6:14). Men and women in traditional outfits perform dance and song on steps of ruins as part of the International Baalbek Festival (6:55). Contemporary stone sculptures dot grassy plain, illuminated in golden hour light at Rachana Village studio of sculptor Michelle Babu in Batroun; deemed “World capital of open air sculpting” by UNESCO 1997 (7:25). Close up of Michelle Babu using mallet to carve stone (7:34). Tour guide in suit and red fez takes group around Beiteddine Palace built by Emir Bashir II: entrance door, inner courtyard, lattice work balcony (7:41). Bedouin man wearing keffiyeh rides camel across farmland, another farmer plows hay with young son and donkey (8:05). Horse racing, crowds cheering at Beirut Horse Track/ Beirut Hippodrome (8:24). Men and women water ski in bay off of Beirut (8:45). Sunbathers at St. George Yacht Club & Marina (9:08). Sailboats docked in the bay, family directs crew as they prepare to set sail (9:25). Two men sail on small dingy boat (9:46). Sunbathers read magazines, play backgammon, throw around soccer ball on beach (10:03). Golfers swing clubs from green course of Lebanon Golf Club (10:38). Anfeh Salt Ponds just south of Tripoli (11:10). Car drives around residential area of Tripoli (11:18). Scenes from around Byblos (11:29). Fresh seafood selection at restaurant in Byblos (11:44). Flashy LED light signs illuminate business, restaurants, clubs at night in central Beirut (12:09). Interior of casino, roulette (12:20). More signs for cabaret shows, belly dancer entertains diners, live band plays for dancers at club (12:29). Closing credits (13:30). We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! 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
