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Purchase Vol.3 from 2Checkout.com
 Purchase Vol.3 DVD from Memory Line Productions. Rails in the Wilderness
The felling of Native Forests and the ingenious ways logs were taken out of the wilderness is one of the most extraordinary and least known chapters in New Zealand History. With the most recent discovery of rare archive film shot in remote corners of the country, along with the memories of some of the older folk who worked in those times, this controversial story is now told on video. Scenes from the old movies vividly bring to life a world that has disappeared for ever.
In Northland, from the Coromandel to Southland and on the West Coast the Native Forests fell to the forces of steam, animal and manpower. In the making of a new agricultural and urban world the bush echoed to the screech of sawmills and shook to the toppling of the giants like the Rimu, Totara and Kauri. Steam log haulers dragged the felled trees on skylines and through dense undergrowth. Centre stage in this drama were the tramway engines, or "lokeys" - legendary designs from the USA like "Heisler" and "Climax" and New Zealand-built "Price" and "Johnston" - hauling the logs out over high timber trestle bridges along slippery steel and wooden rails laid hastily over thousands of miles of wilderness. Today society regrets the destruction of this natural heritage. As forest planners look to sustainable management of native timber resources for the future this documentary places the events of the past in the context of their times and is a dedication to the indigenous forests and their contribution to a growing nation. Purchase Vol.3 DVD from Memory Line Productions. IN HI-FI STEREO SOUND Rails in the Wilderness Music composed by: WAYNE MASON In Colour and Black & White Grateful acknowledgements to: Running time 1 hour approx. |
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