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Microcosmos

Play trailer Poster for Microcosmos G Released Oct 11, 1996 1h 17m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 34 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
It may appear tiny to the human eye, but there is no denying that the insect kingdom -- as captured by the filmmakers behind this documentary -- is as dramatic, action-packed and beautiful as any other. Indeed, using a variety of film techniques and an inspired score, the moving image of a beetle pushing a ball of dung takes on the mythic quality of Sisyphus with his boulder. Meanwhile, endless caterpillar caravans suggest, amazingly, the rhythm of modern highways during rush hour.

Critics Reviews

View All (34) Critics Reviews
Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Rated: A- Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films Astonishingly up-close and personal look at an infinitesimal world as alien as anything captured by the Mars rovers… a world of strange fascination and unexpected beauty. Rated: A Mar 2, 2004 Full Review Andy Seiler USA Today A movie with a quirky vision. Rated: 3.5/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Tom Meek Cambridge Day The capture and camerawork is so perfect you feel like a Lilliputian observer in a Jurassic Park of sorts. Apr 23, 2021 Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid The movie is rated G, and it's very much recommended to children who are fascinated with all things squirmy. Rated: 3.5/4 Apr 29, 2017 Full Review Tracy Moore Common Sense Media Breathtaking docu zooms in on insect life in vivid color. Rated: 5/5 Feb 11, 2015 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (238) audience reviews
Black S An hour and a half of pure magic and immersion in an incredibly exciting world Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/05/22 Full Review delysid d one of the better documentaries ive seen Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/17/20 Full Review Audience Member Enter the world of insects. This is a nature documentary with some pretty extreme close-ups. Supported by great music work and only a few sentences from the narrator we are mostly on or own - we observe, digest and kind of create your own stories for the scenes. Plenty of cool animals here, some very fascinating. Some very interesting and cool scenes - nature surely knows have to keep your eyes open with it's weird creatures. This is nearly 25 years old now, and technically it should be way off the level of newer productiones as we today are blessed with all those amazing BBC-productions in recent years. Imporessively enough it doesn't lack much - it's still a very imoressive piece of work. I'm glad it's not a very long film. It's kind of tiresome to watch insects over, and over again - but with only 75 minutes of playtime it's a fairly easy watch with all it's colors and the typical animalistic fights for survival. Nice little film, but not as mindblowing as it probably was twenty years ago. 7 out of 10 dung beetles. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review CNGaming I absolutely loved this movie as a kid, I managed to get the anniversary BluRay recently and it's a beautiful transfer. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/16/20 Full Review Audience Member I'd seen this years ago and it still holds up as fascinating. The film is essentially a series of super close-up shorts of various bugs and other small creatures in their natural habitat, doing everything form eating, sleeping, reproducing, fighting or just walking around. The vibrant photography and elegant editing are what make this film so hypnotic and compelling to watch. I was kind of disappointed that it didn't hold my kids interest (I think it also kind of grossed them out), but I at least couldn't take my eyes off the film. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Brillant throughout. The narrative and cinematography are superb. A must see that you'll watch again and again. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Microcosmos

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis It may appear tiny to the human eye, but there is no denying that the insect kingdom -- as captured by the filmmakers behind this documentary -- is as dramatic, action-packed and beautiful as any other. Indeed, using a variety of film techniques and an inspired score, the moving image of a beetle pushing a ball of dung takes on the mythic quality of Sisyphus with his boulder. Meanwhile, endless caterpillar caravans suggest, amazingly, the rhythm of modern highways during rush hour.
Director
Claude Nuridsany, Marie Pérennou
Producer
Christophe Barratier, Yvette Mallet, Jacques Perrin
Screenwriter
Claude Nuridsany, Marie Pérennou
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Miramax
Rating
G
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
Canadian French
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 11, 1996, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 22, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.7M
Runtime
1h 17m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)