In the year 1626, the Dutch bought from the Native Americans the island of Manhattan for the total sum of twenty-four dollars. Here they founded the city of New Amsterdam which, within thirty years, had a population of 1,000 people. Three centuries later, New Amsterdam grew into New York with eight million inhabitants.

"You understand that I am speaking of a film in which New York is the central character, not a picture in which individuals are portrayed, which would make New York merely the background for a story. I am talking about the picture in which New York is the story." — Robert Flaherty

[Music composed and performed by Donald Sosin.]