Count Zborowski Screening and premiere of 'The Map'

A public screening of 'The Map' which is an edited version of the original amateur films made by Count Zborowski.

Count Zborowski, the multimillionaire playboy who lived at Higham just outside Bridge in the 1920s, is perhaps best known for his exploits as an amateur racing driver. His specially built cars, that incorporated First World War aeroplane engines, were later to be the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s book Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. But Count Zborowski is also well-known for his 15” gauge steam railway that he had built around his estate. This mile long track has long fascinated railway enthusiasts because no known photos or film were thought to exist. That was until Tim Jones, a Senior Lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University, came across two reels of amateur film labeled ‘Count Drama.’ It soon became apparent that this home-made drama, in the style of silent films, had been shot at the Higham Estate in 1924 and starred Count Zborowski.

Although the film showed elements of a story, the narrative was not entirely clear in its original form. Tim Jones has now edited the film to make the story clearer through the addition of inter-titles and music.

Tim's most recent documentary, 'Seeking Sydney' about the prolific local amateur filmmaker, Sydney Bligh, was also shown.