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IMDbPro

Le ciel et la boue

  • 1961
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
265
YOUR RATING
Le ciel et la boue (1961)
Documentary

In September, 1959, six Europeans leave Cook's Bay on the southern coast of Dutch New Guinea, now West Papua or Irian Jaya, to trek north to the far side of the island. The journey (450 mile... Read allIn September, 1959, six Europeans leave Cook's Bay on the southern coast of Dutch New Guinea, now West Papua or Irian Jaya, to trek north to the far side of the island. The journey (450 miles, as a crow flies) across unmapped territory took seven months; three Muyu porters died. ... Read allIn September, 1959, six Europeans leave Cook's Bay on the southern coast of Dutch New Guinea, now West Papua or Irian Jaya, to trek north to the far side of the island. The journey (450 miles, as a crow flies) across unmapped territory took seven months; three Muyu porters died. Near both coasts, the expedition met villagers who invited them to observe rituals and liv... Read all

  • Director
    • Pierre-Dominique Gaisseau
  • Writer
    • Pierre-Dominique Gaisseau
  • Stars
    • Gerard Delloye
    • Tony Saulnier
    • Herve de Maigret
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    265
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Pierre-Dominique Gaisseau
    • Writer
      • Pierre-Dominique Gaisseau
    • Stars
      • Gerard Delloye
      • Tony Saulnier
      • Herve de Maigret
    • 8User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

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    Le ciel et la boue (1961)
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    Top cast

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    Gerard Delloye
    • Self
    Tony Saulnier
    • Self
    Herve de Maigret
    • Self
    William Dexter
    • Narrator (English version)
    • (as William Peacock)
    Jan Sneep
    • Self
    • Director
      • Pierre-Dominique Gaisseau
    • Writer
      • Pierre-Dominique Gaisseau
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      During a stay with an aboriginal tribe, the explorers use the radio and the natives and the team hear 'C'est à Hambourg' sung by Édith Piaf. The aboriginals are intrigued by that machine.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Max, der Taschendieb (1962)
    • Soundtracks
      C'est à Hambourg
      Music by Marguerite Monnot

      Lyrics by Claude Delécluse and Michelle Senlis

      Performed by Édith Piaf

    User reviews8

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    the past in the present
    Watching "Le ciel et la boue" (called "The Sky Above, The Mud Below" in English), I got the feeling that it may have been one of the last chances that the documentary makers had to do this; after all, how many indigenous cultures still live their traditional ways? At times, the filmmakers use some pre-conscious terms such as "savage" and "civilization", but we understand that they aren't actually trying to attack the people on whom they're focusing.

    I will say that the parts about airplanes flying supplies in gave me the impression that the filmmakers wimped out sometimes. But overall, the documentary is a fascinating look at cultures which may not have survived much longer. I recommend it.
    helpful•3
    9
    • lee_eisenberg
    • Dec 20, 2006

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • May 5, 1961 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • Liechtenstein
    • Language
      • French
    • Also known as
      • The Sky Above, the Mud Below
    • Production companies
      • Ardennes Films
      • Michael Arthur Films
      • Société Parisienne de Cinéma (SPC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 32 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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