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The Sea Horse
The Sea Horse
8.2
/10
1,321 Ratings

THE SEA HORSE

L'hippocampe ou “cheval marin”

Directed by Jean Painlevé
France, 1934
Documentary, Short, Avant-Garde

Synopsis

This short film explores the unusual reproductive cycle of seahorses, where the female gives the male eggs for both fertilisation and birth. The film is replete with scientific detail: Jean Painlevé’s narration guides our attention, and even reveals the drumming heartbeat of a newborn seahorse.

Synopsis

This short film explores the unusual reproductive cycle of seahorses, where the female gives the male eggs for both fertilisation and birth. The film is replete with scientific detail: Jean Painlevé’s narration guides our attention, and even reveals the drumming heartbeat of a newborn seahorse.

Our take

From the great French biologist-turned-filmmaker comes this breathtaking jewel of underwater surrealism and one of Jean Painlevé’s most successful films. Marvel at the magical motions of this unique and curiously medieval creature: from the magnified growth of an embryo to an explosive male birth!