A man who lived like a monk, but George Price cannot be easily reduced. Make no mistake, he was a radical in his time and a thorn in the side of the British colonial powers.
This was clear in the vintage footage from the early 60's which 7News acquired from a Canadian film-maker who was in Belize afterHurricane Hattie. At that time, he was Premier Price in his prime - and he was something! Here's a look back at our story first aired in September of 2022:
Premier George Price
"Cabinet ministers, members of the assembly and the people of the country are grateful to our governor His Excellency Sir Peter Stallard often referred to by me as the governor of independence."
Applause in the chamber but a stony silence on the throne from the British Governor and Chief Justice.
Outside, the crowds demonstrated their support with PUP signs and watched as the governor slid away with his security escort in tow.
Price's time to talk to them would come on the rostrum at the public meeting:
Premier George Price
"...These 13 years shouting self government now, but we should stop shouting self government now and begin to shout independence now. That is the lecture. So that is the battle cry now, self government is a fact. Its just that we have to put into effect. But then we go on, we dont stand still, we are not stagnant, we are moving, we are dynamic, we are going now to independence - the road to independence."
As this never before seen footage shows - the then 44 year old Price - 13 years into the nationalist movement - held a rapt audience of loyal followers in his hands - they seemed to hang on every word - wearing his customary guayabera their leader seemed luminous set against the night skyâ š¬¦a mesmerizing moment captured in stunning black and white film:
Premier George Price
"We, in building a nation will need 3 tools; a flag, the name of a country` and a national anthem. PUP - all the way. Que Viva Belice."
And while he spoke of Independence - it would be another almost two decades before it was realized - on September 21st 1981 - Price finally had the last of those three tools - a flag which was proudly hoisted, as the Union Jack came down for the last time in Belize.
The footage was captured as part of a 30 minute British documentary named, "Belize: End of the World" directed by Peter Davis and released in 1964.
Price was born on January 15th, 1919.
