Proteus: A Nineteenth Century Vision

2004

59m

Documentary

Animation

List

28%

Tomatometer

18 Reviews

50%

Audience Score

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.

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Jason Anderson

Globe and Mail

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

Rated: 3/4

Aug 19, 2005

Full Review

Michael Atkinson

Village Voice

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

Aug 2, 2005

Full Review

Mary Brennan

Seattle Times

Problematic on almost all levels.

Rated: 1.5/4

Nov 5, 2004

Full Review

Liz Braun

Jam! Movies

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

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 19, 2005

Full Review

Ken Fox

TV Guide

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

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 11, 2005

Full Review

Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

Rated: 1.5/5

Feb 13, 2005

Full Review

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Audience Member

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

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Ultimately not oppressive enough to drive the point home, but it did have enough integrity to override the artsy bits.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

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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
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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