https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/b190fea2-4986-4b34-845a-db0cfadc9125 Help us preserve, scan and post more rare and endangered films on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PeriscopeFilm Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCddem5RlB3bQe99wyY49g0g/join Website: https://PeriscopeFilm.com Presented by David Brown Tractors as a promotional, "Iceland Today" is a 1960s travelogue film that explores the unique geography, culture, and modern development of Iceland, a country located just south of the Arctic Circle. It begins with Iceland’s dramatic landscapes, nearly constant summer daylight, and Norse history, then moves to Reykjavík, a modern and clean capital powered by geothermal energy. The film highlights the country’s traditional roots through preserved farmhouses and folklore, while also showcasing its modern farming methods and reliance on fishing, which drives over 90% of its economy. Viewers are introduced to hot springs, geothermal bread baking, and greenhouses heated by the earth’s natural energy. The documentary also visits Iceland’s majestic waterfalls, volcanic landscapes, and Lake Mývatn, rich in birdlife and lava formations. Traditional transportation by Icelandic pony is featured, as well as the ancient Alþingi parliament site at Þingvellir. The film concludes by celebrating Iceland’s contrasts—snow-covered mountains, geothermal heat, modern life, and preserved heritage—all contributing to its striking and memorable beauty. Note: David Brown Ltd. was one of the biggest British tractor manufactures in the post war period, with a manufacturing plant at Meltham, West Yorkshire. In 1972 the tractor operations were sold to Tenneco of America, who owned JI Case tractor co. 0:00 –Iceland’s location near the Arctic Circle, where summer sun never sets. 0:52 – Historical naming by Norse Vikings and clarification that only 1/8 of Iceland is covered by permanent ice. 1:20 – Accessibility of Iceland via international flights, especially from European and American cities. 1:34 – Arrival in Reykjavík, the modern capital housing half of Iceland's population. 2:08 – Description of Reykjavík’s modern infrastructure, clean air (no coal), and high living standards. 2:53 – Introduction to sculptor Asmundur Sveinsson, a notable Icelandic artist living on the city’s edge. 4:16 – Glimpse into traditional Icelandic farm life and clothing, preserved in museum buildings made from local materials. 5:03 – Modern farming: small landholdings with tractors, yet still largely pastoral, focused on cattle and sheep. 6:29 – Fishing is Iceland’s main economic driver, accounting for over 90% of its economy. 7:27 – Overview of whaling practices near Reykjavík, where all parts of the whale are utilized. 8:01 – Use of geothermal energy for heating, particularly for Reykjavík’s hot water supply. 8:43 – Geothermal pools and saunas are popular for recreation, made possible by Iceland’s natural hot water. 9:32 – Traditional bread baking in geothermal sand, though now most homes use electric cookers. 10:08 – The town of Hveragerði uses geothermal steam to heat greenhouses, producing exotic plants near the Arctic. 11:45 – Iceland’s abundant water sources create spectacular waterfalls like Dettifoss, Skógafoss, and Gullfoss. 13:01 – Rivers like Laxá (Salmon River) offer excellent fishing, although licenses are expensive. 13:26 – Icelandic ponies are used for recreation and tourism, offering a traditional mode of travel. 14:28 – Historical overview of the Alþingi (parliament) at Þingvellir, dating back to 930 AD. 15:36 – Harsh medieval justice systems, including exile, beheading, and drowning. 16:00 – Visit to Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest town, known for its beauty and modernity. 16:45 – Dimmuborgir: a dramatic lava field of fantastical shapes formed 2,000 years ago. 17:24 – Lake Mývatn: a shallow, fertile lake with unique lava formations and ecological diversity. 18:11 – Exploration of Námafjall, a geologically active area with steam vents and sulfur fields. 19:38 – Puffins and diverse birdlife make Iceland a paradise for bird watchers. 20:04 – Closing reflections on Iceland’s natural beauty, from snowy peaks to geothermal heat and ever-changing landscapes. Motion picture films don't last forever; many have already been lost or destroyed. For almost two decades, we've worked to collect, scan and preserve the world as it was captured on 35mm, 16mm and 8mm movies -- including home movies, industrial films, and other non-fiction. If you have endangered films you'd like to have scanned, or wish to donate celluloid to Periscope Film so that we can share them with the world, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us via the weblink below. This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCGUwF3G4nc Mirrored from Periscope Film (https://www.youtube.com/@PeriscopeFilm) Sat, 13 Jun 2026 13:21:01 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://peertube.dngr.us https://peertube.dngr.us/lazy-static/avatars/41a6fee9-7f57-42d0-a5fc-5db4f1af2e31.png https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/b190fea2-4986-4b34-845a-db0cfadc9125 All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://peertube.dngr.us/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.