Stockfilm licenses the rights identified in the applicable agreement. Additional use-specific review may be required. See the Licensing Guide and Archive Integrity.
COLOMBO CEYLON-1946: An elephant is carefully lifted by a wooden sling suspended from a crane, its massive body hoisted above a ship's deck. The animal, secured with ropes, hangs mid-air over the water as crew members observe below. The 8mm film captures the scene with soft, faded colors and characteristic grain, evoking a sense of historical documentation. This archival footage shows a moment of animal transport, likely for relocation or shipment, with the elephant's calm demeanor contrasting the mechanical operation. The setting appears to be a port, with the sea visible in the background, highlighting a unique intersection of wildlife and industrial logistics in mid-20th century Ceylon.
Editorial use is the safest path. For commercial use, a clearance review is recommended for the flags below.
Flags come from automated catalog metadata, not a legal opinion. The source is an original 8mm / Super 8 Home Movie reel. For high-stakes commercial use, request a full rights review.
Confidence labels are defined on Archive Integrity. Fields without a recorded value are shown as not recorded rather than assumed.

1940s footage from around the world
1940s footage also from Sri Lanka
Clips with similar subjects and themes