Classic Film : Environmental (or nature) films

Environmental (or nature) films

Environmental (or nature) films

To me, the films that best advocate for the environment are films that are not pedantic or written to theme. Rather, I think they are films that display nature in all its glory, manifest in the story as lived either by humans or animals. Films that enable an audience to experience nature with empathy, recognizing its significance to the welfare of the inhabitants of the planet.

Some of my favorite films in this genre:

Never Cry Wolf - Carroll Ballard
Gorillas in the Mist (1988) - Michael Apted
Cave of the Yellow Dog (2005) - Byambasuren Davaa
Dersu Uzala (1975) - Akira Kurosawa)
The Bear (1988) - Jean-Jacques Annaud
Bambi (1942) - James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, et al
The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1986) - Masanori Hata

Most of these concentrate on animals, but, of course, there are many that are also from the human perspective.

Your thoughts, comments, suggestions?

(Documentaries are acceptable.)

Re: Environmental (or nature) films



“I do this real moron thing, and it's called thinking. And apparently I'm not a very good American because I like to form my own opinions.”

Re: Environmental (or nature) films

Watership Down.



Atanarjuat. The Fast Runner. The most incredible film!

Two great ones

Though I confess I haven't seen Atanarjuat, but OMG the trailer looks wonderful! Thanks so much for the introduction to it. It looks like a must see. And it reminds me of an all time favorite, the film generally considered to be the first documentary, Nanook of the North (1920), directed by Robert Flaherty.





Re: Environmental (or nature) films

I liked Gorillas in the Mist (1988), The Bear (1988), The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1986) and Bambi (1942).

You might enjoy
Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes
Congo
The Aviator - George Miller
Medicine Man
The African Queen
Call of the Wild
Swiss Family Robinson
Cast Away


edit: What about outer space? Technically, it's part of nature.
Gravity is a great film.

Re: Environmental (or nature) films

Yes, of those you mention I really did enjoy Greystone, The African Queen - one of the great American films - Call of the Wild, the version with Clark Gable and Loretta Young, and Swiss Family Robinson.

And I agree with you about outer space and Gravity, though I thought that one was too long for the story it had to tell.

Re: Environmental (or nature) films

What were you thoughts about The Aviator and Cast Away?

Re: Environmental (or nature) films

I didn't see THE AVIATOR. And I didn't like CAST AWAY at all. I thought it was a pretty bad script.

Re: Environmental (or nature) films

I liked The Aviator. I haven't watched it in a long time. I hope its as good as I remember.

I watched a short clip of Congo. It seems very silly movie after all these years. You can tell that the gorillas are men in gorilla suits and whatever appliances attached to the suit. I think the Planet of the Apes reboot series is a better option for your topic.

And I didn't like CAST AWAY at all. I thought it was a pretty bad script.

What do you mean "a pretty bad script"? Like the dialog or the entire screenplay?

Cast Away

I thought the entire screenplay was pretty bad. I barely made my way through it; only stayed because I had a friend who worked on it, and I knew he'd want to discuss it.

Cast Away

Well don't leave us in suspense. I'm very curious now. I loved Cast Away. It's one of my favorite movies.

Why did you feel the screenplay was pretty bad?

Cast Away

Oh, I really don't remember, I'm sorry. I saw it almost twenty years ago. I just remember I couldn't get fully engaged for whatever reason. Maybe it just wasn't my cup of tea. It was also a time in my life when I didn't like a lot of things I saw. It's possible that if I saw it today, I would feel differently.

But I'm glad that it's one of your favorites and that it gives you joy. This seems to be a perfect example of what I said before: to each his own. 😊

Cast Away

Did you ever tell your friend how you felt about the screenplay for Cast Away? I'm just curious to find out what that person thought. Or do you not remember that either?

I re-watched Bonnie and Clyde last night after our chat and found more reasons to dislike that film. I won't go into detail because you really love the film and I wouldn't want to upset you despite what you're saying about "to each his own."

Cast Away

Yes, we discussed it, and although I don't remember a lot about the particulars, I believe we agreed on some things and not on others. I think he liked it more than I did.

As for Bonnie and Clyde, there's nothing you can say to me that would upset me. It seems to me that I have upset you, though, which was never my intention. Whether you believe me or not, I really believe in the notion of "to each his own," in general, but particularly on this board.

Cast Away

No, I'm not upset. A lot of my favorite movies are disliked. I'm not the type of person who would fight another person because they didn't like a movie or tv series as much as I do. Trust me, there are so many fanboys/fangirls that would probably kill over a difference of opinion. That's how strongly they become attached to these movies and tv series.
I was threatened by another user because I disagree with him about BrightBurn. It didn't even matter to him that I'd agreed with his opinion on a different movie either.

Cast Away

👍 😊

Cast Away

It's a shame that our freedom of speech about a movie or tv series is threatened this way. Something is really wrong with the posters on filmboards. I keep hoping it will get better but it never does, does it? You should know. Your account is over 2 years old.

Cast Away

Yes, there can be a lot of meanness and dissension in places like this. I just ignore it, if it rears its head. Life is too short. But I have to say in general that here on the classic board, I'm not finding anything that's really upset me. I hope it stays that way.

Environmental (or nature) films

I'm not going to say anything else on the matter.

I'll let you know if I think of anymore films that fit your criteria.

Environmental (or nature) films

Thanks. I'm not entirely sure what my criteria is, so good luck with that. 😊

Environmental (or nature) films

Okay then I'll continue to throw random titles your way.

Re: Environmental (or nature) films











Are you okay?

Re: Environmental (or nature) films

Black Robe is a nature film?

Re: Environmental (or nature) films

Didn't see THE WHITE DAWN or INTO THE WILD, but I love all the others - all beautiful and brilliantly made films with with a lot to say about the natural world and the human condition. BARAKA especially amazes and inspires me.

Re: Environmental (or nature) films

Hello Spider Wolf yes the environment is very important to me what do you say about your favorite animals and which ones of them would u like to see extinct and ground up and made into hamburger patties?

Re: Environmental (or nature) films

African Queen (one of the best movies ever)

Day After Tomorrow

The Thing (it wasn't the theme, but a participant in the situation)

"Life is tough. Get a helmet." – Candace Owens
"Not today, Satan!" – Blaire White

Re: Environmental (or nature) films

👍 And, yes, THE AFRICAN QUEEN is one of the best films ever.

Re: Environmental (or nature) films

Fern Gully.

Fern Gully

Haven't seen this one, but I think I would really enjoy it. Thanks for the introduction.

Re: Environmental (or nature) films

Big fan of this series of family films from the 1970's. The first one is by far the best.



Yes, this is really me.

The Wilderness Family

Yes, I enjoyed those, too. Around the same time as THE LIFE AND TIME OF GRIZZLY ADAMS, which I also enjoyed, though it isn't very good. I liked the series for that one a better.

Re: Environmental (or nature) films

An Inconvenient Truth
Into the Wild
The Jungle Book
Arctic Tale
Life of Pi
Noah
Thin Ice

Before the Flood:



I have no legs

Re: Environmental (or nature) films

Of these, I've only seen AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, which I loved, THE JUNGLE BOOK - the newer one and the animated one from 1968, both of which I loved, and BEFORE THE FLOOD, which I also loved - God bless Leo DiCaprio for all the work he's doing on the environment!

I want to see INTO THE WILD and the LIFE OF PI, but can't/won't until I read the books. One of these days soon, I hope. Sigh.

P.S. Did you ever look at the trailer for THE BIG LITTLE FARM, which I posted for you on the farming thread? I'd love to get your feedback. I think you'll really appreciate it. Please let me know.

Re: Environmental (or nature) films

Most Hayao Miyazaki movies have some kind of environmental message but these two are probably the ones were it factors most into the plot:

Nausicaä (1984)
Princess Mononoke (1997)

I also enjoyed Silent Running (1972).

Re: Environmental (or nature) films

Oh, countzero, I haven't seen any of these! That said, I have to say that Nausicaä (1984) and Princess Mononoke (1997) sound like especially good ones with really important themes. If I have a chance, I'll be sure to watch them. Thanks so much for the introductions. I'm learning a lot from so many posts here. A very good thing. 😊
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