This film is part of Free
Brighton Aquarium Part 1
Visit the weird and wonderful sea life displays at Brighton's famous aquarium
Overview
From languid sea anemones to spiny crustaceans and a fully-fledged alligator, the delights and curiosities of the ocean are on display for viewers of this early film of Brighton aquarium. Nothing of the aquarium's elaborate architecture or its visitors appears on screen - the sea creatures themselves take centre stage, allowing cinema audiences far away in Germany to vicariously experience a fascinating aquatic world.
Desire to explore the secrets of the deep blue stretches back centuries, with marble tanks for viewing fish thought of as early as the Roman period. The aquarium as we know it really took off in the mid-19th century, with the first - London Zoo's 'Fish House' - opened in 1853. The manhandling of the alligator in this film is discomfiting to modern eyes - while modern aquariums still offer entertaining spectacles, the emphasis has moved significantly to preservation and education.
Related
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.