The Hellstrom Chronicle (1971)

Directors:

Walon Green
Ed Spiegel

Writer:

David Seltzer (writer)

Release Date:

1 November 1971 (Sweden)

Genre:

Documentary | Drama

Tagline:

Shocking. Beautiful. Brilliant. Sensual. Deadly... and in the end only they will survive.

Plot:

A scientist explains how the savagery and efficiency of the insect world could result in their taking over the world. |

Plot Keywords:

Insect | Animal Behavior | Nature | Entomology | Independent Film

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Lawrence Pressman

...

Dr. Hellstrom

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-12 (cut) (1972) | Sweden:Btl | USA:G

Company:

Wolper Pictures

Trivia:

David Wolper and Cinema 5 got audiences into theatres to see this documentary by promoting it as if it were a science fiction thriller.

Quotes:

Dr. Hellstrom: Man will point to nature, claiming War was meant to be. But here they died with reason - through selflessness, not greed.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Wicker Man (2006)

Now, this is the way to make a documentary!

For 10 plus years, "The Hellstrom Chronicle" was regularly plugged into the 2am/4am movie slot on a local station in the middle 80's through 90's. Too bad it couldn't get more coverage, because this is how a documentary should be made.

The problem with documentaries is if you focus too much on the clinical data, it becomes dry. If yo try to interject drama into it, you run the risk of sending up the piece, into parody or even farce. Hellstrom interjects just the right amount of fiction, in the form of Lawrence Pressman, that links the documentary portions at a pace that keeps it from losing one's interest. It's obvious that "Dr." Hellstrom, a fictitious entomologist, is paranoid that insects will take over the world through their superiority over men. The most interesting thing, though, is he may very well be right! If the insect world footage has any say in how future matters may turn out, it will.

Of particular interest is the portion of the footage devoted to the driver ants. As has been quoted in other reviews, this is a prime example of "How DID they film that?!" documentary in motion. It's an inspiration out of "Leinengen Vs. The Ants," only it's real!

If you can find this "movie," give it a roll. Expand your mind a bit with some facts, while at the same time, become entertained by Dr. Hellstrom... even if he isn't a real doctor, but, he plays one on TV! (Actually, he did! Pressman went on to play one on Doogie Howser, M.D.)