The Hellstrom Chronicle
The Hellstrom Chronicle | |
---|---|
Directed by | Ed Spiegel Walon Green |
Written by | David Seltzer |
Produced by | David L. Wolper Walon Green[1] |
Starring | Lawrence Pressman |
Cinematography | Helmuth Barth Walon Green Vilis Lapenieks Ken Middleham |
Edited by | John Soh |
Music by | Lalo Schifrin |
Distributed by | Cinema 5 Distributing |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
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,[2] directed by Walon Green[3] and written by David Seltzer, who earned a Writers Guild of America Award nomination for his screenplay.
Plot[]
Fictitious scientist Dr. Nils Hellstrom (played by Lawrence Pressman)[4] guides viewers throughout the film. He claims, on the basis of scientific-sounding theories, that insects will ultimately win the fight for survival on 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.[5]
Technical advisers Roy Snelling and Charles Hogue were entomologists at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History.
Cast[]
- Lawrence Pressman - Dr. Nils Hellstrom, M.S., Ph.D.
- Conlan Carter - the farmer
- Ian McShane - (self), playing the actor in the film clip from If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium
- Suzanne Pleshette - (self), portraying the actress in the same
Reception[]
Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 75% score based on reviews from 8 critics.[6]
Green later called it "almost yellow-journally but good. We were giving the audience an elbow to the ribs every third line."[7]
Awards[]
- 1972 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature[8][9]
- 1972 BAFTA Award - Best Documentary Feature
Home video[]
The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray January 10, 2012 from Olive Films.[10]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Documentary Winners: 1972 Oscars
- ^ Chicago Reader
- ^ Spectacle Theater
- ^ THE HELLSTROM CHRONICLE (Waylon Green, 1971) on Vimeo
- ^ AllMovie
- ^ "The Hellstrom Chronicle (1971)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- ^ "Swarming the Field: Bugs, Nazis, and The Hellstrom Chronicle". Grantland. Retrieved 2012-09-29.
- ^ "Glenn Erickson: The Hellstrom Chronicle". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
- ^ 1972|Oscars.org
- ^ DVD Savant Review
External links[]
- 1971 films
- English-language films
- Best Documentary Feature Academy Award winners
- American documentary films
- American films
- Documentary films about insects
- Films directed by Walon Green
- The Wolper Organization films
- Films scored by Lalo Schifrin