Science Is Fiction: The Films of Jean Painlevé

"Science Is Fiction" is a 3-DVD collection containing 23 short science/nature films (spanning the years from 1927-1978) that were photographed by pioneer filmmaker, Jean Painleve (1902-1989).

And, even though some of these films do actually present animals being treated in inhumane ways - I still thought that (for the most part) these vintage shorts were certainly worth watching, as they offered the curios viewer a clear look into a window of innovative film-making from yesteryear.

Here are 10 adjectives that I think best describe this "Science Is Fiction" documentary-DVD which highlights 23 of the best short, science/nature films from pioneer, French film-maker, Jean Painleve.

Bizarre, creepy, beautiful, ugly, fascinating, repulsive, attractive, educational, weird, intriguing, surreal.

The 23 films (some colour, some b&w) featured in this 3-disc collection all have running times of approx. 20 minutes. They cover the years in Painleve's career as a director from 1927-1978.

Yes. Some of these films are pretty heavy slugging at times and some do contain deliberate cruelty to animals, but, all-in-all, if science & nature hold any special interest for you, then this collection is most certainly well-worth a view.

*Note* - Director Jean Painleve, who has over 200 science/nature films to his credit, died in 1989 at the age of 87.

I think that this documentary-DVD certainly gives Painleve the honorary credit for his work that he so rightly deserves.