Capturing the World: Legendary Filmmakers Who Brought Adventure Home

Before Instagram stories and YouTube vlogs, visionary filmmakers carried heavy cameras to the world's most remote corners, creating the first "travel content" that captivated audiences for decades. Read more about these filmmakers and watch a selection from these iconic filmmakers. Contact us to learn more about licensing any of these films for your next project.

Image from Burton Holmes' film "Seeing London" circa 1920s - Available in 4K

The Father of the Travelogue: Burton Holmes (1870-1958)

Long before the term "influencer" existed, filmmaker Burton Holmes was drawing packed auditoriums across America with his revolutionary "travelogues" – a word he coined in 1904. This elegantly dressed Chicago native didn't just travel; he transformed wanderlust into an art form. For over fifty years, Holmes would spend summers roaming the globe, then return to mesmerize winter audiences with his sophisticated blend of storytelling, slides, and motion pictures.

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Image from Andre de la Verre's film "Cities of North Africa" 1933 - Available in 4K

The Screen Traveler: Andre de la Varre (1902-1989)

Some people are born for adventure, others create it. Andre de la Varre was definitely the latter. At just 17, this Washington D.C. native made a decision that would define cinema history: he quit school, bought a motion picture camera, and headed to Europe to find his fortune. By 1924, de la Varre had become Burton Holmes' trusted cameraman, learning from the master himself. But his true legacy began in the early 1930s when he struck out on his own as "The Screen Traveler," creating theatrical shorts for major Hollywood studios.

His 1938-39 expedition demonstrates the incredible dedication of early travel filmmakers: de la Varre drove over 10,000 miles through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, crossing the Atlas Mountains and venturing into Saharan oases on trails that barely existed.

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Image from "South Seas Adventure" 1958 - Available in HD

A Life in Motion: Carl Dudley (1910-1973)

Born literally on the road – aboard his father's minstrel show train in Little Rock, Arkansas – Carl Dudley was destined for a life of motion and adventure. Dudley's journey began with a spark of inspiration: after seeing "Mutiny on the Bounty" in 1935, he immediately set sail for Tahiti, Australia, and India, working film crews to support his travels. By 1944, he had founded Dudley Pictures Corp, producing the acclaimed series "This World of Ours" and "This Land of Ours." His claim to fame was producing the spectacular Cinerama "South Seas Adventure" in 1958, a crown jewel of over 300 "travel adventures" he created throughout his career.

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Image from James A. FitzPatrick's "Rio The Magnificent" 1932 - Available in HD

The Technicolor Master: James A. FitzPatrick (1894-1980)

For 25 years, James A. FitzPatrick was the voice and vision behind "FitzPatrick Traveltalks," a series of over 225 theatrical travelogues for MGM that defined how Americans saw the world. From 1930 to 1955, FitzPatrick's smooth narration and stunning visuals made him the most recognized travel filmmaker of his era. After leaving MGM, he continued innovating with "Vistavision Visits" for Paramount, proving that great travel storytelling transcends technology.

See more of James A. Fitzpatricks's films