This film is part of Free
Heredity in Man
A chilling insight into the brave new world of pre-Holocaust eugenics
Overview
Biologist Julian Huxley, brother of Brave New World author Aldous, gives a chilling insight into the discredited science of coercive eugenics. Huxley compares the genetics of families of 'defectives' who are institutionalised with those of successful actors (including John Gielgud) and the physically strong. He concludes that it would be better if disabled people were not born. Shortly after this film was made, Hitler authorised the mass murder of disabled Germans.
In the 1930s, the eugenics movement was on the crest of a wave. Many European countries and the USA embraced its ideology of population control, 'racial hygiene' and elimination of 'defectives'. Only relatively recently have we become aware of the horrors of the Nazi 'Aktion T4' programme, which systematically gassed many thousands of German disabled people - labelled 'useless eaters' - during World War Two. Some disability activists argue that current debates around 'assisted dying' have their roots in the coercive eugenics movement. Disabled artist and activist Liz Crow has made a thought-provoking film, Resistance (also available on BFI player), about the 'Aktion T4' programme.
Related
Plans for Living Plans for Living
Amateur film 1966 22 mins
The Pinner Cine Society looks at the work of Northwood's welfare services.
Rehabilitation at Roffey Park Rehabilitation at Roffey Park
Government sponsored film 1946 29 mins Location: Roffey Park (College)
Looking after the mental health of workers post-World War II – filmed in astonishing full colour.
Something to Offer Something to Offer
Documentary 1969 22 mins
An interesting documentary on psychiatric provision, set at a Plymouth day hospital and originally produced for nursing recruitment.
His Fighting Chance His Fighting Chance
Government sponsored film 1949 10 mins
Eleanor Roosevelt and Michael Redgrave narrate this optimistic post-war film on the rehabilitation of disabled people with polio.
Education of the Deaf Education of the Deaf
Documentary 1946 51 mins Location: Manchester
A brisk look at the tests and education practices for deaf people in 1940s
Faith Healer Faith Healer
News 1976 6 mins Location: Erdington
Does Danny Gallagher really have healing hands?
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.
Edgar Wright on The Running Man Edgar Wright on The Running Man
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces.
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.
Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 73 mins
Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.