Customer Reviews

The Hellstrom Chronicle

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I saw this movie decades ago, and I'm still thinking about it! It is actually a GORGEOUS, BEAUTIFULLY PHOTOGRAPHED documentary about insects, presented as a science fiction "warning" that insects were here before humans and that they will survive us and possibly take over the world at the end. "Hellstrom" is the narrator, the voice of doom giving all the facts, which are actually pretty convincing, about insects which will enable them to one day be Planet Earth's dominant species. This movie is entertaining and educational. Did I mention gorgeous?

I saw this movie in the theater when it first came out, and was blown away by the cinematography, which would be good by today's standards. Not only should this movie still be on VHS, but I think it is deserving of being on DVD as well, and perhaps even released in theaters again. Anyone who had never seen it would have no idea how old it was, and us old farts who did see it would no doubt enjoy seeing it again.

A tad irrelevant, a bit childish, sure, but it will make you think. Are we the Masters of the Earth or just a bunch of parasites that don't deserve to live in such a wonderful place? If nothing else, great macrophotography, and an amusing storyline. I can't wait for my little girls to see this. We should never take for granted the World that we live in.

Long before we had great documentaries such as Planet Earth, Life and the World's Most Amazing Events, there was a documentary that was way ahead of it's time. That "Doc".... was titled 'The Hellstrom Chronicle'! The amazing thing about this documentary is that I still remember it! I haven't seen it for well over 30 years and I can remember pieces of it as if I saw it yesterday. The film is beautifully shot with some incredible footage even by today's standards. I can only hope that this masterpiece will see an appropriate DVD and or Blu Ray release. It really is a one of a kind film that should be part of anyone's nature film library.

The insects were here before us, and they'll be here afterwards. Pair this chill-filled documentary with Saul Bass' "Phase IV" (he was the guy who made the great title sequences for all your favorite films) for an evening of entomological horror. The good doctor says: "Only Man ponders his existence. His questions lead to torment, for he is unable to accept, as the insects do, that life's only purpose is life itself." Where's the dvd edition?

I own the VHS version of the movie and have watched it many times. Not only is the movie very entertaining but its thesis is interesting: that humans are no match for insects in the long term, and because of the way humans behave the long term may be shorter than they would like. An even more disturbing idea is that human behavior differs very little from that of aggressive insect societies, such as the behavior of the blind driver ants of Africa. The final segment of the film is haunting and unforgettable. It's incredible that the film is not even available to rent. Its unavailability is just another example of the selfishness of the people who own the rights to such intellectual properties. They remind me of wealthy art owners who keep great works of art locked away in a vault.

A classic film about insects behaviour, excellent to show to high-school and faculty students.

Can hardly wait for the DVD. After watching it you should read Frank Herbert's SF novel "Hellstrom's Hive" which uses the narrator of the film as his central (evil?) character in the book - wonder how he got away with that?

My Dad mentioned in passing he'd really like to own this movie. Sadly I was forced to purchase it on VHS! ACK!

I would like to add my name to the list of those who are looking for a DVD or TV-downloadable version. This was one of the most impressive and spectacular movies I ever saw, and I remember it after 45 years. PLEASE let us have it again!

Andrew Charig Middlefield MA ACharig@hotmail.com