This is what the Holy Land looked like in the middle of the last century. Historical images from the films produced by the Custody of the Holy Land between 1948 and the 70s. These now deteriorated originals have been given a new lease of life thanks to the restoration and digitisation carried out by Cineteca di Milano on behalf of the Holy Land Foundation. A total of 37 titles, with an average running time of between 9 and 20 minutes. "Christmas in Bethlehem", also available on Youtube, takes us back to Christmas 1954, when the city was still under Jordanian control. "Muslims themselves spontaneously offer their enthusiasm and their service of honour to the Child. Everyone today is fascinated by the great Mystery". Rituals and traditions remain unchanged, such as the playing of bagpipes, now entrusted to the scouts, the solemn entrance of the Patriarch and his welcome to the square in front of the Basilica of the Nativity, the greetings to the authorities and the entrance into the Basilica in procession with the friars. "The silver star of the Latins marks the place where that newborn child who moved the stars was placed". And today, as then, after the night Mass, the brothers go down to the Grotto of the Nativity to lay the Child. "Here the shepherds saw him, here the star revealed him, here he was adored by the Magi, here the angels sang 'Glory in the highest'". Crusaders Without Arms was made in 1955 with professional equipment and tells the story of the Franciscans in the Holy Land. "A century had not passed since the conquest of the Holy Sepulchre, when Christian power collapsed because of the discord and ambitions of the princes. It was then that a simple man, without an escort or weapons, rich only in faith and enthusiasm, dared to realise an ancient dream". "Humble in his strange habit, with bare hands and bare feet, Francis confronts the Saracen armies and the Sultan himself. He fascinates him, conquers him and obtains his consent for himself and his friars to live in that blessed land". The films are "high level amateur", often produced by semi-professional directors. They were initially intended for a limited audience, but have also been used in catechesis and promotion of the Holy Land, helping to spread "the message and the grace of the Holy Places". Read More