Bringemovies
← Browse Movies
Poster unavailable
TITLE DETAILS

Edwardian Insects on Film

2013-03-19 · 59 min · ★ 9.0

Documentary

In 1908, amateur naturalist and pioneering filmmaker Percy Smith stunned early cinema goers with his footage of the juggling fly. Hailed as the father of Natural History film, Smith was a hugely influential visual pioneer, inventing many techniques that are still used today. Being both a genius and an eccentric, we follow his life from his earliest films, to the collapse of his house from his mould experiment to his ultimate suicide. We also meet Natural History icon Sir David Attenborough, who was so amazed by Smith’s films in the 1930s that they inspired him to get into natural history.

Open detail page

Trailers are previews, not full movies.

No authorized playback source configured. Use the legal watch options below.

Production details

Directors
John Holdsworth
Production companies
National Media Museum, BFI National Archive, BBC, Mentorn Media
Countries
United Kingdom
Status
Released

Top Cast

Charlie Hamilton JamesCharlie Hamilton JamesSelf - Presenter
David AttenboroughDavid AttenboroughSelf
Dr Tim BoonSelf - Science Museum, London
David ClevelandSelf - Film Archivist
Tim CockerillSelf - Entomologist
Bryony DixonSelf - Curator, Silent Film, BFI
Jenny HammertonSelf - Film Archivist
Michael HarveySelf - National Media Museum
Percy SmithSelf - archive footage
John WinderSelf - Scientist & Collector

Title information and images are supplied by TMDb. Explore our discovery guide for advice on comparing metadata and legal viewing options.

Where to watch

Availability provided by JustWatch via TMDb. Offers can change. Provider links are listed on TMDb; full playback requires a separately authorized source.

Availability not listed for this country.

Recommendations

The Kid Stays in the Picture
★ 6.6
The Kid Stays in the Picture2002Documentary

Documentary about legendary Paramount producer Robert Evans, based on his famous 1994 autobiography.

Our Planet: Behind the Scenes
★ 7.7
Our Planet: Behind the Scenes2019Documentary

Years spent recording footage of creatures from every corner of the globe is bound to produce a bit of drama. Here's a behind-the-scenes look.

Lost in La Mancha
★ 7.0
Lost in La Mancha2002Documentary

Fulton and Pepe's 2000 documentary captures Terry Gilliam's attempt to get The Man Who Killed Don Quixote off the ground. Back injuries, freakish storms, and more zoom in to sabotage the project.

Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me
★ 6.1
Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me2023Documentary

From the heights of her modeling fame to her tragic death, this documentary reveals Anna Nicole Smith through the eyes of the people closest to her.

Bukowski: Born Into This
★ 6.8
Bukowski: Born Into This2003Documentary

Director John Dullaghan’s biographical documentary about infamous poet Charles Bukowski, Bukowski: Born Into This, is as much a touching portrait of the author as it is an exposé of his sordid lifestyle. Interspersed between ample vintage footage of Bukowski’s poetry readings are interviews with the poet’s fans including such legendary figures such as Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Joyce Fante (wife of John), Bono, and Harry Dean Stanton. Filmed in grainy black and white by Bukowski’s friend, Taylor Hackford, due to lack of funding, the old films edited into this movie paint Bukowski’s life of boozing and brawling romantically, securing Bukowski’s legendary status.

The Class of ‘92
★ 7.1
The Class of ‘922013Documentary

A detailing of the rise to prominence and global sporting superstardom of six supremely talented young Manchester United football players (David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil and Gary Neville). The film covers the period 1992-1999, culminating in Manchester United's European Cup triumph.

Behind the Planet of the Apes
★ 7.1
Behind the Planet of the Apes1998Documentary

Roddy McDowall takes you, film by film, from production meetings to make-up sessions, then right onto the movie set to see the actual filming of the science fiction masterpiece. The most comprehensive history of Planet of the Apes ever created, this fascinating 127-minute documentary explores one of the most imaginative and influential series in movie history.

Love, Antosha
★ 7.4
Love, Antosha2019Documentary

From a prolific career in film and television, Anton Yelchin left an indelible legacy as an actor. Through his journals and other writings, his photography, the original music he wrote, and interviews with his family, friends, and colleagues, this film looks not just at Anton's impressive career, but at a broader portrait of the man.

I Am Chris Farley
★ 7.1
I Am Chris Farley2015Documentary

I am Chris Farley tells his hilarious, touching and wildly entertaining story - from his early days in Madison, Wisconsin, to his time at Second City and Saturday Night Live, then finally his film career (which included hits like Tommy Boy and Black Sheep). The film showcases his most memorable characters and skits from film and television and also includes interviews and insights from his co-stars, family and friends - including the likes of Christina Applegate, Dan Aykroyd, Mike Myers, Bob Odenkirk, Bob Saget and Adam Sandler.

Spider-Man: All Roads Lead to No Way Home
★ 6.8
Spider-Man: All Roads Lead to No Way Home2022Documentary

JB Smoove and Martin Starr host a celebration of 20 years of "Spider-Man" movies, from the Sam Raimi trilogy to Marc Webb's movies and the trio from Jon Watts.

Spielberg
★ 7.5
Spielberg2017Documentary

A documentary on the life and career of one of the most influential film directors of all time, Steven Spielberg.

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy
★ 7.8
Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy2010Documentary

For decades, Freddy Krueger has slashed his way through the dreams of countless youngsters, scaring up over half a billion dollars at the box office across eight terrifying, spectacular films.

The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons Learned from a Mythical Man
★ 6.8
The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons Learned from a Mythical Man2018Documentary

One man’s journey to find meaning in Bill Murray’s many unexpected adventures with everyday people, rare and never-before seen footage of the comedic icon participating in stories previously presumed to be urban legend.

Being James Bond
★ 7.8
Being James Bond2021Documentary

Daniel Craig candidly reflects on his 15 year adventure as James Bond. Including never-before-seen archival footage from Casino Royale to the upcoming 25th film No Time To Die, Craig shares his personal memories in conversation with 007 producers, Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.

I Am Heath Ledger
★ 7.4
I Am Heath Ledger2017Documentary

The life and career of an actor, artist, and icon. His own journey through his own camera.

The Battered Bastards of Baseball
★ 7.4
The Battered Bastards of Baseball2014Documentary

Hollywood veteran Bing Russell creates the only independent baseball team in the country—alarming the baseball establishment and sparking the meteoric rise of the 1970s Portland Mavericks.

Sidney
★ 6.9
Sidney2022Documentary

This revealing documentary honors the legendary Sidney Poitier—iconic actor, filmmaker, and civil rights activist. Featuring interviews with Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Halle Berry, and more.

Seven Up!
★ 7.2
Seven Up!1964Documentary

A group of British children aged 7 from widely ranging backgrounds are interviewed about a range of subjects. The filmmakers plan to re-interview them at 7 year intervals to track how their lives and attitudes change as they age.

Casting By
★ 6.9
Casting By2012Documentary

This essential new documentary pays tribute to the legacy of the late, legendary casting director Marion Dougherty and shines a light on one of the most overlooked and least understood crafts in filmmaking.

Seduced and Abandoned
★ 6.2
Seduced and Abandoned2013Documentary

SEDUCED AND ABANDONED combines acting legend Alec Baldwin with director James Toback as they lead us on a troublesome and often hilarious journey of raising financing for their next feature film. Moving from director to financier to star actor, the two players provide us with a unique look behind the curtain at the world's biggest and most glamourous film festival, shining a light on the bitter-sweet relationship filmmakers have with Cannes and the film business. Featuring insights from directors Martin Scorsese, 'Bernando Bertolucci' and Roman Polanski; actors Ryan Gosling and Jessica Chastain and a host of film distribution luminaries.

Similar titles

Poster unavailable
Not rated
Insect Zoo1950Documentary

Susan and Ted are creating an insect zoo, learning about various insects.

Vivement Truffaut
★ 7.5
Vivement Truffaut1985Documentary

A tribute to the late, great French director Francois Truffaut, this documentary was undoubtedly named after his last movie, Vivement Dimanche!, released in 1983. Included in this overview of Truffaut's contribution to filmmaking are clips from 14 of his movies arranged according to the themes he favored. These include childhood, literature, the cinema itself, romance, marriage, and death.

Poster unavailable
Not rated
Le Club : Claude Jade2001Documentary

Poster unavailable
Not rated
On Life On-screen: Miseries and Splendour of a Monarch2010Documentary

A documentary on the collaboration of filmmaker Sacha Guitry and actor Michel Simon focusing on the film "La Poison" (1951).

Monsieur Truffaut Meets Mr. Hitchcock
★ 6.8
Monsieur Truffaut Meets Mr. Hitchcock1999Documentary

When Francois Truffaut approached Alfred Hitchcock in 1962 with the idea of having a long conversation with him about his work and publishing this in book form, he didn't imagine that more than four years would pass before Le Cinéma selon Hitchcock finally appeared in 1966. Not only in France but all over the world, Truffaut's Hitchcock interview developed over the years into a standard bible of film literature. In 1983, three years after Hitchcock's death, Truffaut decided to expand his by now legendary book to include a concluding chapter and have it published as the "Edition définitive". This film describes the genesis of the "Hitchbook" and throws light on the strange friendship between two completely different men. The centrepieces are the extracts from the original sound recordings of the interview with the voices of Alfred Hitchcock, Francois Truffaut, and Helen Scott – recordings which have never been heard in public before.

Moving Through Time: Fire Walk With Me Memories
Not rated
Moving Through Time: Fire Walk With Me Memories2014Documentary

Documentary about the making of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.

The James Dean Story
★ 5.6
The James Dean Story1957Documentary

Released two years after James Dean's death, this documentary chronicles his short life and career via black-and-white still photographs, interviews with the aunt and uncle who raised him, his paternal grandparents, a New York City cabdriver friend, the owner of his favorite Los Angeles restaurant, outtakes from East of Eden, footage of the opening night of Giant, and Dean's ironic PSA for safe driving.

Poster unavailable
★ 8.0
The Golden Gong: The Story of Rank Films - British Cinema's Legendary Studio1985Documentary

After starting his career producing religious film shorts, J. Arthur Rank went on to become Britain's first and only movie mogul with his establishment of the legendary Pinewood Studios. Narrated by Michael Caine, THE GOLDEN GONG chronicles Pinewood's rise to success.

Somewhere Between New York and LA
★ 8.0
Somewhere Between New York and LA2020Documentary

Since he was 18 years old, Blake Eckard has written and directed six feature length films in his hometown of Stanberry, Missouri (population 1186). Aside from a short distribution deal in Canada and a few festival screenings, his movies have largely gone unseen.

Poster unavailable
Not rated
Omnibus: François Truffaut1973Documentary

Ants - Nature's Secret Power
★ 8.0
Ants - Nature's Secret Power2004Documentary

UNIVERSUM cameraman Wolfgang Thaler and Bert Hoelldobler, a leading authority on ants, bring us face-to-face with the mysterious world of these social insects.

Microcosmos
★ 7.6
Microcosmos1996Documentary

A documentary of insect life in meadows and ponds, using incredible close-ups, slow motion, and time-lapse photography. It includes bees collecting nectar, ladybugs eating mites, snails mating, spiders wrapping their catch, a scarab beetle relentlessly pushing its ball of dung uphill, endless lines of caterpillars, an underwater spider creating an air bubble to live in, and a mosquito hatching.

Poster unavailable
Not rated
Inventory2008Documentary

A documentary by Olivier Gonard, shot partly in Paris’s Musée d’Orsay, that examines Olivier Assayas' film Summer Hours, and its approach to art.

Bette and Joan: Blind Ambition
★ 6.7
Bette and Joan: Blind Ambition2006Documentary

An overview of the iconic actresses' legendary careers, as well as the rivalry that colored "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?"

Never Be Boring: Billy Wilder
★ 7.3
Never Be Boring: Billy Wilder2017Documentary

A funny walk through the life story of Billy Wilder (1906-2002), a cinematic genius; a portrait of a filmmaker who never was a boring man, a superb mind who had ten commandments, of which the first nine were: “Thou shalt not bore.”

Making 'The Shining'
★ 7.1
Making 'The Shining'1980Documentary

Directed and edited by Stanley Kubrick's daughter Vivian Kubrick, this film offers a look behind the scenes during the making of The Shining.

Making 'The New World'
★ 5.0
Making 'The New World'2006Documentary

An overview of the making of Terrence Malick's The New World (2005).

The World Is a Window: Making The Colour of Pomegranates
★ 5.0
The World Is a Window: Making The Colour of Pomegranates2011Documentary

A documentary by writer and filmmaker Daniel Bird about the making of Sergei Parajanov's 'The Colour of Pomegranates'.

The Definitive Elvis: Elvis and the Colonel
★ 6.4
The Definitive Elvis: Elvis and the Colonel2002Documentary

One of the dominating figures in Elvis Presley's life was his manager, who was known as the "Colonel". No other relationship in Elvis' life was as controversial and misunderstood as the one he had with Colonel Tom Parker. The truth about their unique friendship is revealed in this documentary.

Made In Ealing: The Story of Ealing Studios
★ 5.0
Made In Ealing: The Story of Ealing Studios1986Documentary

Documentary about the British film studio. First appeared on the BBC television programme Omnibus.

Your favorites

Recently viewed

Watch

Choose an authorized server.

Full video from an operator-configured authorized source. Official trailers use a separate player. If a server fails, retry or select another authorized server.

Legal watch options

Official trailer

Trailer preview only. Press Play to start.

Privacy choices

Favorites stay in your browser. Movie images load from TMDb. YouTube trailers contact YouTube only after you allow external media and choose a trailer. Advertising consent, if ads are enabled, is managed separately by the operator’s certified CMP.

Privacy policy

After allowing external media, choose the trailer button to load its player.