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The Hellstrom Chronicle is an American film released in 1971 which combines elements of documentary, science fiction, horror and apocalyptic prophecy to present a gripping satirical depiction of the struggle for survival between humans and insects. It won the 1972 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. It was conceived and produced by David L. Wolper,[2] directed by Walon Green[3] and written by David Seltzer, who earned a Writers Guild of America Award nomination for his screenplay.

The Hellstrom Chronicle
Promotional film poster
Directed by	Ed Spiegel Walon Green
Written by	David Seltzer
Produced by	David L. Wolper Walon Green[1]
Starring	Lawrence Pressman
Cinematography	Helmuth Barth Walon Green Vilis Lapenieks Ken Middleham
Edited by	John Soh
Music by	Lalo Schifrin
Distributed by	Cinema 5 Distributing
Release date	June 28, 1971 (1971-06-28)
Running time	90 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Plot

Fictitious scientist Dr. Nils Hellstrom (played by Lawrence Pressman)[4] guides viewers throughout the film. He claims, on the basis of scientific-sounding theories, that insects will ultimately win the fight for survival on Earth because of their adaptability and ability to reproduce rapidly and that the human race will lose this fight largely because of excessive individualism. The film combines short clips from horror and science fiction movies with extraordinary camera sequences of butterflies, locusts, wasps, termites, ants, mayflies, other insects rarely seen before on film and insectivorous plants/insects.[5]

Technical advisers Roy Snelling and Charles Hogue were entomologists at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History.

Cast

• Lawrence Pressman - Dr. Nils Hellstrom

Reception

Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 75% score based on reviews from 8 critics.[6]

Green later called it "almost yellow-journally but good. We were giving the audience an elbow to the ribs every third line."[7]

Awards

• 1972 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature[8][9]
• 1972 BAFTA Award - Best Documentary Feature

Home video

The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray January 10, 2012 from Olive Films.[10]

See also

• Phase IV
• Hellstrom's Hive
• Watership Down
• The Plague Dogs
• The Adventures of Chatran

References

External links

• The Hellstrom Chronicle at the David L. Wolper Co.
• The Hellstrom Chronicle at IMDb
• New York Times review
• Review, Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert
• Notes at Turner Classic Movies

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