The Hellstrom Chronicle

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 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 byEd Spiegel
Walon Green
Produced byDavid L. Wolper
Walon Green[1]
Written byDavid Seltzer
StarringLawrence Pressman
Music byLalo Schifrin
CinematographyHelmuth Barth
Walon Green
Vilis Lapenieks
Ken Middleham
Edited byJohn Soh
Distributed byCinema 5 Distributing
Release date
  • June 28, 1971 (1971-06-28)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

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 planet 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.

Reception

Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 75% score on the Tomatometer while the audience rating was 86%.[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

Home video releases

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

gollark: Although admittedly that study wasn't double-blind, because the impact craters were fairly obvious.
gollark: Well, lunar railgun impacts have been shown to be bad for your health.
gollark: The moon *could* be moved, but this would take some time and you could move out of the way.
gollark: Admittedly due to lunar positioning constraints, it may not actually be possible to target you right now. I haven't checked.
gollark: Do you understand the idea of "internal consistency" and "lunar railguns standing by".

See also

References
  1. Documentary Winners: 1972 Oscars
  2. Chicago Reader
  3. Spectacle Theater
  4. THE HELLSTROM CHRONICLE (Waylon Green, 1971) on Vimeo
  5. AllMovie
  6. Rotten Tomatoes
  7. "Swarming the Field: Bugs, Nazis, and The Hellstrom Chronicle". Grantland. Retrieved 2012-09-29.
  8. "Glenn Erickson: The Hellstrom Chronicle". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  9. 1972|Oscars.org
  10. DVD Savant Review
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