The Pony Express
The Pony Express
Educational film about the history of the Pony Express. Many historical reenactments of the Pony Express, cowboys riding American quarter horses through variety of seasons. Originally shot on film.
The Pony Express
WLS prairie, horse & rider a mere speck in far BG. CU bas-relief of William H. Russell. WLS prairie, rider getting closer, but still quite far off. CU bas-relief of Alexander Majors. WLS horseman cutting through prairie, getting closer to cam. CU relief of William B. Waddell. TLS man riding horse by camera on prairie. TLS/MSs horseback riders (cowboys) recreating the Pony Express -- historical reenactment.
The Pony Express
TLS Spanish Mission partially obscurred by palm trees. Scenic LS California coastal view from cliff vista. Panning LS mountains of Yosemite Valley. TLS rusted remnants of Gold Rush gold mine. MS horse-drawn covered wagon train moving slowly across hill (left to right). Subjective POV shot through jungle overgrowth. Paintings & illustrations of old steamships used for mail delivery service (Pacific Mail Steamship Line). Illustrations of mules, horses, camels-- government packanimals used for mail service. Great CUs camel chewing. CU old U.S. Mail seal. Panning CU Butterfield Overland sign on stagecoach; MS/CU/TLSs team of spotted horses pulling stagecoach. Map of United States showing Pony Express routes. Subjective POV shot walking along ruts in earth caused by pioneer wagons. LS Chimney Rock. LS Courthouse Rock & Jail Rock. Painting of mail service stagecoach in winter storm. Details of painting of American Indian raid on stagecoach. Painting of slaves picking cotton on plantation (slavery). MSs wood wagons being pulled. LS/TLSs iron horse steam engine locomotives traveling across scenic landscapes, spewing smoke.
The Pony Express
TLS courthouse in Lexington, Missouri. Illustrations of Lexington street scenes, 19th cen. LS wagon train traveling along prairie. Archival still of Alexander Majors. CU wagon wheels turning. Archival still of large team of oxen pulling wagon. Archival newspaper ads for Russell, Majors, Waddell. Stills & illustrations of Alexander Majors, William Waddell, William Russell. LSs wagon train traveling through prairie. Archival ads for Central Overland California & Pike's Peak Express Company. Panning MS snow covered creek. Archival still of Senator William Gwynn. Archival Pony Express poster. MSs mounted Pony Express riders racing through countryside. Pony Express poster advertising need for riders. Archival stills of Pony Express riders posing for cam. TLSs horses in grassy field; TLSs horses galloping in dusty corral. Illustration of St. Joseph, MO, & Sacramento, CA, mid 18th cen. TLS/MSs small, remote relay stations. TLS/MSs home stations used by Pony Express riders, horses at corral. MCUs mail being inserted into leath saddle pouch. CUs letters with Pony Express stamp.
The Pony Express
CUs telegraph being tapped. MSs telegraph pole & wires. MSs cowboys saddling horses. CU steam whistle blowing. MS wheels of locomotive traveling on railroad track. Sideview CU cannon firing. Illustrations & paintings of Pony Express riders, fanfare. Panning LS silhouetted man on horseback crossing hill. MS derby & top hats being thrown into air, blue sky BG. TLS paddle wheel steamboat on river. TLS/MSs men wearing cowboy hats riding horses through scenic countryside, various times of day. MS/TLSs horses running in corral. MSs burning building, flames pouring through window. Panning TLS U.S. cavalry charging through field on horseback, one man carrying American flag. Panning MS burning ruins of building. LS/TLSs Pony Express riders wearing cowboy hats sprinting horses through scenic country landscapes.
The Pony Express
CU snow on leafy branch, rack focus to MS man on horse in snow. Panning LS snowy landscape, cowboy racing horse through valley. Archival still of U.S. Capitol Building, dome under construction; illustrations of Congressmen in House. MS hooves of horse pulling covered wagon kicking up dust. MS yellow-painted wooden spoked wheels of wagon passing cam. LS Pony Express rider racing horse through prairie, away from cam. Paintings & illustrations of lonely Pony Express riders at even lonlier outposts. Illustrations of telegraph poles & wires being constructed in country, eliminating the need for the Pony Express. LSs Pony Express rider sprinting horse through snowy woods. Traveling sideview MS of rider wearing cowboy hat riding horse along hill. MS bronze relief of Russell, Majors, Waddell, pan to relief of Pony Express rider.