The Hellstrom Chronicle
The Hellstrom Chronicle is an American film released in 1971 which combines elements of documentary, science fiction, horror and apocalyptic prophecy to present a gripping satirical depiction of the struggle for survival between humans and insects. It was conceived and produced by David L. Wolper, directed by Walon Green and written by David Seltzer, who earned a Writers Guild of America Award nomination for his screenplay.
The Hellstrom Chronicle | |
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Directed by | Ed Spiegel Walon Green |
Produced by | David L. Wolper |
Written by | David Seltzer |
Starring | Lawrence Pressman |
Music by | Lalo Schifrin |
Cinematography | Helmuth Barth Walon Green Vilis Lapenieks Ken Middleham |
Edited by | John Soh |
Distributed by | Cinema 5 Distributing |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Green later called it "almost yellow-journally but good. We were giving the audience an elbow to the ribs every third line."[1]
Several cinematographers photographed this film using macrophotography, telephotography, and time-lapse photography. The trailer resembled an announcement for a science fiction movie. The film provided the inspiration for Frank Herbert's science fiction novel Hellstrom's Hive.
This movie was the first use of the iconic sounding waterphone in a film.
Plot
Fictitious scientist Dr. Nils Hellstrom (played by Lawrence Pressman) guides viewers throughout the film. He claims, on the basis of scientific-sounding theories, that insects will ultimately win the fight for survival on planet Earth because of their adaptability and ability to reproduce rapidly, and that the human race will lose this fight largely because of excessive individualism. The film combines short clips from horror and science fiction movies with extraordinary camera sequences of butterflies, locusts, wasps, termites, ants, mayflies, other insects rarely seen before on film and insectivorous plants/insects.
Technical advisers Roy Snelling and Charles Hogue, were entomologists at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History.[2]
Awards
- 1972 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature[3]
- 1972 BAFTA Award - Best Documentary Feature
Home video releases
The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray January 10, 2012 from Olive Films.
See also
- Phase IV
- Watership Down
- The Fox and the Hound
- The Plague Dogs
- Penguin's Memory: Shiawase Monogatari
- The Brave Little Toaster
- Coraline (film)
- Cars 2
- Swimming to Sea
- Isle of Dogs (film)
References
- "Swarming the Field: Bugs, Nazis, and The Hellstrom Chronicle". Grantland. Retrieved 2012-09-29.
- The Hellstrom Chronicle on IMDb
- "Glenn Erickson: The Hellstrom Chronicle". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 2013-01-14.