The Black Ships
Synopsis
Created with imagery taken from the 19th-Century Japanese woodcuts on display in the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibition “The Japanese Expedition 1852-1866 of Commodore Matthew Perry,” the film records the opening of the country to Western trade from a Japanese perspective. In Charles’ words, the film “shows something of the special and rare situations that existed when these two cultures came together…one very sophisticated, one with a highly developed technology.” The soundtrack juxtaposes the visuals, with music from the album “Banjo Kings,” an early-American fife-and-drum recording from the Smithsonian Institution archives, and traditional Japanese music from tapes provided by the Japanese embassy.
Release History & Theatrical Window
January 1, 1970
Physical Home Media
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Charles Eames, Ray Eames
- Original Title
- The Black Ships
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 8m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Charles Eames, Ray Eames
Department Leadership Roster
Charles Eames
Director
Ray Eames
Director
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Black Ships.
More Like The Black Ships
Recommended titles matching themes, cast, and genres.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Black Ships
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Black Ships about?
Created with imagery taken from the 19th-Century Japanese woodcuts on display in the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibition “The Japanese Expedition 1852-1866 of Commodore Matthew Perry,” the film records the opening of the country to Western trade from a Japanese perspective. In Charles’ words, the film “shows something of the special and rare situations that existed when these two cultures came together…one very sophisticated, one with a highly developed technology.” The soundtrack juxtaposes the visuals, with music from the album “Banjo Kings,” an early-American fife-and-drum recording from the Smithsonian Institution archives, and traditional Japanese music from tapes provided by the Japanese embassy.
Who directed The Black Ships?
The Black Ships was directed by Charles Eames, Ray Eames.
Who stars in The Black Ships?
The principal cast of The Black Ships includes Not specified.
When was The Black Ships released and how long is it?
The Black Ships was released in 1970 with a total runtime of 8m.