The Darwin Adventure (1972) User Reviews

Low-key but lavish adventure film from '71-72

[mark-rojinsky · 8/10 · 11 April 2020]

The Darwin Adventure (1971-1972) is a subtle but very adventurous adventure film from the early-'70s which were pioneering years. The compelling visions conjured by Denys Coop's camera are both pastoral and organic. US director Jack Couffer photographed and compiled 60000 feet of nature scenes filmed in such diverse and scattered locations as Spain, the Amazon Delta, Tierra Del Fuego, the Falkland Islands, Kenya (Lake Baringo), the Galapagos Islands, Barro Colorado Island in Panama and the Monkey Jungle in Florida showing startling purpose, while filming also took place in the summer and autumn of 1971 at Colchester and Harefield House, Denham, London. The variety of wildlife includes orangutans, gorillas, marine and land iguanas, a critical mass of flying birds (gannets?), bull sealions, army ants, vampire bats and jesus lizards etc. The natural wonders relating to the Latin American geographical locations are depicted by images of the granite-like promontories of the Andes mountain range and the verdant tropical Brazilian rainforest. Anthropological scenes include the scene where Darwin observes vampire buts sucking on the blood of cattle and a petrified forest in Latin America; Darwin observing finches on the Galapagos Islands and aggressive bull sealions at the Falkland Islands. Darwin is played by young handsome English actor, Nicholas Clay who sports wavy chestnut hair and Regency-Era costume at the time of the voyage and he shows both subtlety and flair. Captain Fitzroy is played by Ian Richardson while the dapper silver haired mutton-chop sporting Carl Bernard plays Moreno the Governor of the Galapagos Islands and Tony Robinson plays a man in the crowd at the meeting of the British Association held at Oxford in 1860. Other memorable scenes include time-lapse images of what look like budding Scottish thistles and fox-gloves (?). The Observer's Philip French described this movie as being 'simple but ambitious and breathtaking' back in 2009 and I think that it was last aired on B.B.C. 2 back in October 1982 and more recently in the US. Especially worth mentioning is the documentary series The Voyage of Charles Darwin (1978) starring the graceful and slightly Chaucerian English actor Malcolm Stoddard.

This most excellent film shows us Darwin the man, as well as the scientist.

[RPBBioMan · 10/10 · 26 September 2001]

This film is the best version of Darwin and his work regarding Evolution that I have yet to see. It not only illustrates his work as an excellent Naturalist, but it also gives us a unique and warm view of Darwin the man, as well as scientist.

I am feverishly trying to locate an outlet from which to purchase a copy of it, or someone who has a copy of it, so that I may purchase it or another copy. I highly recommend this film to anyone who has a need or desire to understand the ideas which have been (ignorantly) condemned by those who do not understand them.

can you help me?

[bigarofer · 9/10 · 13 December 2014]

It's possible buy a copy about this film? I'm Spanish and for much years ago i can not give this movie.Its important for me... Can you hep me? Thank you¡¡ when I was little I saw on television and since then want to buy it and have not . Espero someone from this forum can help me find or at least, to make a copy if someone has it. I want to help me find this movie and buy it. If someone has a wish I could make one for my copy, spent years trying get this film and I have not .¿Puede anyone help? .Gracias.Fernando -- -- In Spain only been seen once on public television, was l Jan 1978, I was 12 and since then look no positive results.

Educational, but even better, enjoyable and superbly acted.

[jon-252 · 10/10 · 20 November 2003]

This is a remarkably enjoyable film. And at the same time educates us about the formative experiences of Charles Darwin. Ian Richardson as Captain Fitzroy is one of the finest performances you will see on the screen, ever.