Proteus: A Nineteenth Century Vision

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Proteus: A Nineteenth Century Vision

2004

59m

Documentary

Animation

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

24%

Tomatometer

17 Reviews

51%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

This animated documentary charts the life of painter and biologist Ernst Haeckel, who, in the 19th century, makes a number of fascinating discoveries about what lurks below the sea. Haeckel uncovers thousands of distinct underwater species, and depicts his scientific findings in his spectacular art. He simultaneously inspires the imagination of his followers and advances the cause of science. The creatures he paints are, to many people, glorious proof of a supreme being.

Jason Anderson

Globe and Mail

08/19/2005

3/4

Grounded by the stark physicality of the location and the emotional charge generated by those prison-bound passions (Jean Genet would have approved).

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Michael Atkinson

Village Voice

08/02/2005

Is it a movie or the best-designed episode of Nova ever?

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Mary Brennan

Seattle Times

11/05/2004

1.5/4

Problematic on almost all levels.

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Liz Braun

Jam! Movies

08/19/2005

2.5/5

The problem with Proteus is that the issues tend to overwhelm the story, and one is never fully engaged in the narrative.

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Ken Fox

TV Guide

08/11/2005

3.5/5

David Lebrun's wonderful documentary brings Haeckel's artistic and scientific triumph to life through a beautifully written narration.

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Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

02/13/2005

1.5/5

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Frank N

Mar 23

Excellent documentary about the vision of Ernst Haeckel.

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05/31/2013

It was a story, very slow - moving....can be skipped.

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02/24/2012

Yuck! What is this thing supposed to be? What it is, is a mess.

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11/02/2010

Mala, y esa mezcla de Ã (C)pocas fue terrible.

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04/13/2010

Though newer, this film did not acheive the level of style and creativity in the director's earlier piece "Lilies". It was even more depressing, and less surreal-- the addition of random plastic bags, chain link fences, and radios in the 1700s seemed more like a glitch than anything, while Lilies has so much weirdness that it becomes easy to accept. The characters did not have much chemistry, not helped by the Dutch guy seeming almost devoid of personality to start with. Why is it that relationships in gay movies so often seem random, the characters just jumping on each other one day when they didn't even like each other previously? Maybe it's just that I'm not a gay man, so I'm not picking up on the subtler vibes there.

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05/15/2009

Dejando de lado los irritantes anacronismos y la mala fotografia (es video digital?), podemos encontrar un filme solido. Interesante historia con algunos chispazos creativos. Aunque nada del otro mundo.

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David Lebrun

Director

Marian Seldes

Narrator

David Lebrun

Writer

David Lebrun

Producer

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Synopsis

This animated documentary charts the life of painter and biologist Ernst Haeckel, who, in the 19th century, makes a number of fascinating discoveries about what lurks below the sea. Haeckel uncovers thousands of distinct underwater species, and depicts his scientific findings in his spectacular art. He simultaneously inspires the imagination of his followers and advances the cause of science. The creatures he paints are, to many people, glorious proof of a supreme being.

Director: David Lebrun
Producer: David Lebrun
Screenwriter: David Lebrun
Genre: Documentary, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 23, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $43.5K
Runtime: 59m

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